HE Mr Zhang Junsai, Chinese Ambassador to Australia, hosted the National Day Reception on 29 October to celebrate the 61st anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. About 600 people attended the reception, representing different social sectors, Chinese communities and Chinese students in Australia.
In his speech at the reception, Ambassador Zhang proudly reviewed the great achievements China has scored. He noted that sixty-one years ago, China was only a semi-feudal, semi-colonial country. Thirty-two years ago, China was closed and backward. But today, China is an independent and open People's Republic committed to reform and opening up. All the Chinese, both at home and abroad, are heartened with the progress China has made. China's development is also welcomed and watched closely by the world community.
The past year has been a year of both joy and pains for the Chinese people. They successfully hosted the World Expo in Shanghai. But they also experienced the scourge of natural disasters like drought, flooding, earthquake and mudslide. Come rain or shine, the Chinese people will remain undaunted, optimistic and confident. China's total national strength is growing. Our Socialist system suits our national conditions and is successful in its own way. All this will provide us will strong material and institutional support in overcoming difficulties.
He went on to say that thanks to the effective economic stimulus package China adopted in the past two years, China became one of the first countries to emerge from the crisis. Our economy has maintained the momentum of stable and fast growth, and become an engine for global economic recovery. When the world steps out of the shadow of crisis, the significant role China plays will be remembered by history. The financial storm has only made us more determined to transform the growth pattern, adjust economic structure, balance economic and social development, and pay equal attention to economic growth and environmental protection. We are duty bound to pursue peaceful development. For it is essential to the survival and well-being of the Chinese people. It is also good for the world in the long run.
Ambassador Zhang expressed the hope that people in Australia and other countries would approach China's development from the right perspective. China's economy is booming. It ranks among the largest economies. But none of this would have been possible, had we not embarked on the road of reform and opening up. This is also the result of the concerted effort of the Chinese people and our mutually beneficial cooperation with other countries. We are keenly aware of the challenges ahead. Our national strength is weak in per capita terms. Our urban and rural development is uneven, and economic and social progress unbalanced. We are facing mounting pressure on our resources and the environment. Our innovation capacity needs to be further enhanced. This is the reality we cannot shy away from. It also determines that China will remain a developing country for a long time to come. There is a long way to go before we can modernize ourselves.
However, difficulties and challenges do not mean a bleak or uncertain future. Enhanced strength does not mean unpredictability or a threat. We will unswervingly pursue the policy of reform and opening up, as is the only way to meet challenges. We will stick to the path of peaceful development. This is the strategic choice we have made. One should not look at China's development from the conventional two-dimensional perspective. Because China today has taken on a brand-new look, and become a 4D country, namely developing, democratic, diversified and dynamic.
Ambassador Zhang, who will soon finish his posting in Australia, also took the opportunity to bid farewell to the Australian friends. He expressed sincere appreciation to people of all walks of life and the Chinese communities in Australia for what they had done for the furtherance of China-Australia relations and the support they had extended to him and the Chinese mission.
He said emotionally that Australia was a dispensable part of his diplomatic career. He had served three terms in Australia, totaling more than 11 years, and personally witnessed the deepening of China-Australia cooperation. Ambassador Zhang was proud to declare that his tour of duty as Chinese Ambassador to Australia would be completed on the 61st birthday of China, and he was gratified that he had fulfilled the mission his country had entrusted to him. Looking back, what strikes him most is that the China-Australia relationship is so well conditioned and solidly based that it is bound to have a bright future. Although China and Australia are different, they have no reason not to learn from each other and work closely. As Confucius said, "All living creatures can grow together without harming each other, and ways run in parallel without interfering with each other".
Participants at the reception applauded the achievements China had made since the start of reform and opening up. They noted that they valued the important role China played in the international affairs, and were full of confidence in the future of China-Australia relations.
Ambassador Zhang had cordial talks with the attendees at the reception, recalling the course of development of China-Australia ties in the past three and half years, and bidding them farewell. They also took photos to mark the occasion.
