Dear Lord Mayor Dr. Keller,
Dear Lord Mayor Buchholz,
Dear Director General Siemes,
Dear Mrs. Doyenne Nabais,
Excellencies,
my dear compatriots, dear friends,
ladies and gentlemen,
I wish you a wonderful evening!
I would like to welcome you all to the National Reception on the occasion of the 74th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. I am very pleased that you are here.
On behalf of all my staff at the Consulate General in Düsseldorf, I would like to thank all of our friends who have supported the further development of Sino-German relations with their help and advice, and contributed to deepening the friendship between China and North Rhine-Westphalia.
Ladies and Gentlemen!
Last year was an extraordinary year for China.
The 20th Party Congress of the CPC adopted the master plan for building a modern socialist country in all respects and advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts with Chinese-style modernization.
At the first plenary session of the 14th National People's Congress, President Xi Jinping was confirmed for another term. He will lead his compatriots from all ethnic groups in China toward the "Development Goals 2049," 100 years after the founding of the People's Republic of China.
All Chinese people are united in their efforts on the road to Chinese-style modernization. They have achieved one remarkable success after another during the past year.
China's gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 5.5 percent year-on-year in the first half of 2023. This growth rate is leading, even among the world's largest economies. According to current forecasts, China will contribute to one-third of global economic growth this year.
China also achieved new breakthroughs in the scientific and technological fields, such as manned space flight. The superconducting nuclear fusion reactor recently generated an "artificial sun". Renewable energy and artificial intelligence were also expanded for the benefit of our one world. The living standard and satisfaction of citizens are steadily rising.
Major events such as the China-Arab States Summit, China-Central Asia Summit and the 31st World University Games have been successfully carried out. The 19th Asian Games opened just five days ago, and sporting competitions are in full swing. Next month, the 3rd Belt and Road Summit will be held, as well as the 6th China International Import Expo in November.
At the same time, we are aware that China is still a developing country and needs to make great efforts to address the problem of unbalanced and insufficient development.
In 2023, we will celebrate 45 years of the reform and opening-up policy, 10 years of the Belt and Road Initiative and 10 years of the concept of a human community with a shared future.
We will further fully and faithfully apply our new development philosophy of innovative, coordinated, green, open and shared development.
We need to expand this opening-up to an even higher level.
We are ready to provide new development opportunities through the Belt and Road Initiative as a central platform for cooperation and exchange of public goods, and furthermore to promote global development.
Faced with global crises and challenges, we would like to promote a human community with a shared future, through which China, with all its wisdom and strength, is committed to building a world of lasting peace, universal security, common prosperity as well as an open, inclusive, clean and beautiful world.
Ladies and Gentlemen!
Last year was also an extraordinary year for Sino-German relations.
We celebrated 50 years of diplomatic relations between China and Germany with a rich variety of festivals and exchange programs. With the lifting of the pandemic restrictions, intensive face-to-face exchanges took place again.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang paid a visit to Germany in June and took part in the 7th Chinese-German intergovernmental consultations. In doing so, he kicked off a comprehensive revival of dialogue and cooperation between the two countries in a wide range of areas, and sent a crystal-clear message to the international community against so-called "de-coupling" and disruption in supply chains.
Over the past 51 years, China and Germany have succeeded in developing trustworthy relations that overcome differences in history, culture, social systems, and levels of development. Bilateral trade has increased almost a thousandfold. Germany has been China's largest trading partner in Europe for 48 consecutive years. And China has been Germany's largest trading partner in the world for seven years in a row.
In 2022, the bilateral trade balance increased by about 21 percent to nearly 300 billion euros. Mutually beneficial cooperation, characterized by openness, pragmatism and innovation, has brought tangible benefits to citizens in both countries. It adds stability and dynamism to the growing together of our world.
It is clear that China and Germany are comprehensive strategic partners. There is no question about that. China is a partner, not a challenge. China is an opportunity, not a risk factor.
At present, the international situation is complicated and confusing. The global economy lacks momentum. As two major economies, China and Germany must face up to their responsibilities and expand on their win-win cooperation with flexibility and pragmatism. Only with optimism and goodwill, can the uncertainty of the global situation be balanced by a strong and stable Sino-German partnership.
The basis of diplomatic relations between China and Germany, as well as 181 other countries around the world, is the commitment to the One-China Policy.
China wants to further develop its partnership with Germany on this basis of mutual respect from both countries of each other's core interests and basic concerns.
Recently, the Chinese government adopted a new package of measures to improve the investment environment and facilitate market access for foreign companies. This secures new opportunities for German and foreign companies to profit and succeed in China. We invite our partners in Germany to stay on the same course for free trade and for more investment in open markets. Chinese investors also expect a fair, transparent and non-discriminatory level playing field in Europe.
Ladies and Gentlemen!
Last year was also an extraordinary year for relations between China and North Rhine-Westphalia.
I have been Chinese Consul General in Düsseldorf for more than a year. I was able to visit more than 20 cities and dozens of companies in North Rhine-Westphalia. At six other round tables, I was delighted to learn that the Sino-German partnership on the Rhine and Ruhr is filled with life through economic and trade cooperation, as well as a wide range of civil society and cultural exchanges.
Here are some "stellar moments" from my personal review of the year. The 10,000th fully loaded freight train reached Europe in North Rhine-Westphalia via the rail link between Germany and China. The first freight train connection is running between Duisburg and China according to schedule. The New Silk Road Logistics Forum and the Silk Road Summit in Europe took place.
And we've counted many cultural events, such as the numerous China festivals, the gala for the Spring Festival, the carnival procession with the "Bönnschen Chinesen," the dragon boat race, the concert "Voice on Silk Road," as well as the China film festival "New Silk Road on the Rhine."
The Governor of Jiangsu Province visited the partner state of North Rhine-Westphalia for the occasion of the 35th anniversary of their partnership. The Lord Mayor of the state capital Düsseldorf, Dr. Stephan Keller, had a successful visit to China. These highlights strengthen my confidence in the further development of the friendship with North Rhine-Westphalia, with Düsseldorf and with other cities.
Bilateral trade between China and North Rhine-Westphalia increased by around 11 percent to 53.6 billion euros in 2022, accounting for almost one-fifth of total trade between China and Germany. China is NRW's second largest trading partner. 1,200 Chinese companies have settled in NRW, more than in any other German state.
Last year, we counted 68 new investment projects and expansion projects in NRW. This represents almost half of all Chinese investment projects in all of Germany. These recent investments from China have created 2,600 new domestic jobs, which is equivalent to one third of all new jobs created by foreign investments in NRW.
China and Germany have a rock-solid basis for cooperation and no conflicts of interest of a fundamental nature. There is no excuse for not developing good relations further. The vast majority of the public in NRW approves and appreciates closer economic and cultural exchanges with China. They can always count on a positive reaction and response from my Consulate General.
The consulate general sees itself as bridge builders, advocates and promoters, as well as, if absolutely necessary, problem solvers between China and North Rhine-Westphalia. While we are expanding our cooperation in traditional areas, we need to develop a new approach and discover new potential for a future that includes important issues like renewable energy, artificial intelligence, digitalization and the development of third-party markets.
Ladies and Gentlemen!
You are participants, actors and promoters of relations between China and Germany as well as North Rhine-Westphalia. I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks and appreciation to you! The Chinese Consulate General in Düsseldorf is ready to offer you our services.
We are committed to improving mutual understanding, deepening pragmatic cooperation, and promoting the continuous development of relations between China and Germany as well as North Rhine-Westphalia.
In conclusion, we wish the People's Republic of China prosperity and well-being, and the Chinese people happiness and contentment!
We wish relations between China and Germany a stable and prosperous future!
We wish you, dear guests, health, good luck, both privately and professionally, and all the best!
Glück auf!
