Stronger friendship, closer cooperation

(Remarks by Ambassador Liu Jianchao at the National Day Reception in celebration of the 62nd Founding Anniversary of the People’s Republic of China at the Rizal Ballroom, Makati Shangri-la on September 26, 2011.)

Confucius told us, “Consider the past, and one shall know the future.” Today, we gather here together, as we have done every year, to remember the foundation of the People’s Republic of China. Sixty-two years ago, the Chinese people, under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, endured a fierce fight for liberation, secured a yearned freedom and embarked on a path of independence, democracy and development. The painstaking struggles have made it all the more well-known to each and every Chinese that peace and development are what really count for a country to exist and prosper.

Over the past 62 years, especially the 32 years since the adoption of reform and opening-up, China, though undergoing arduous tasks and hitting bumpy roads, has made considerable achievements in terms of economic growth and social progress. During the past 32 years, China’s GDP has enjoyed an annual growth rate of 9.9 percent on average. China’s increasing economic strength brought forth consistent improvement of people’s living standard, substantial strengthening of democratic and legal system, and contribution to world peace and development.

During the past decade, the total volume of China’s import topped US$ 6.8 trillion, and China has created more than 14 million jobs for other countries and regions in the world. When the world economy encountered recession and quite a number of developed countries faced economic problems, China, with other emerging economies, managed to maintain economic stability, generated economic growth and contributed to the global financial security and economic recovery. According to the World Bank statistics, in the year of 2009 and 2010, China contributed to over 50 percent and 25 percent of global growth respectively. China’s dynamic and robust economy will not only benefit its people, but add more strength to the global economy and bring good to the peoples across the world. China has been striving to build a harmonious neighborhood of common prosperity. From January to July this year, China-ASEAN trade volume has registered a growth of 25.5 percent. It’s encouraging to see that China-Philippines trade volume reached US$18 billion in the first seven months, with the Philippine side enjoying a surplus of US$2 billion.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Almost four weeks ago, H.E. President Benigno S. Aquino made a state visit to China. It turned out to be successful and fruitful. The visit serves as a milestone witnessing the flourishing strategic and cooperative relationship between our two countries, and an opportunity to advance China-Philippines friendship with greater depth and strength. A Five-Year Development Program for Trade and Economic Cooperation was signed to blueprint our future cooperation in agriculture and fishery, infrastructure development, mining, energy, IT, tourism, engineering services and forestry. Our two countries agreed to raise the total two-way trade to US$60 billion by 2016. During the visit, China affirmed its support for the Public Private Partnership (PPP) program of the Philippine government and committed to encourage Chinese companies to be contributing participants.

President Aquino attended three economic and trade forums in Beijing, Shanghai and Xiamen, where a vibrant future of mutually beneficial cooperation between the Chinese and Philippine business circles were nurtured. Let’s hope that all the agreements inked would be materialized soon into tangible benefits for our two peoples. It’s also encouraging to know that our leaders declared 2012 and 2013 as “China-Philippines Years of Friendly Exchanges” and agreed to double the two-way tourist arrivals between our two countries to two million by 2016. In China, President Aquino, following her mother’s footprints, visited Hongjian Village in Xiamen to trace his Chinese roots. He was having a nice chat with villagers, even though it was done through interpretation. Then and there, I saw another firm champion and great builder of China-Philippine friendship.

Indeed, our countries are natural friends. Our peoples and cultures are intertwined by blood and history. The success of President Aquino’s visit to China opened up broader vista for a China-Philippines relationship of strategic cooperation. With what we have achieved, we shall continue to make stronger the foundation of our friendship, build long-standing partnership on various areas of mutual concern, rise above and beyond the narrow confines of national interests and create a regional environment of peace and stability.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

As an English proverb goes, “All is well with him who has a great neighborhood.” China does cherish it as a wealth to have the Philippines as one of its wonderful neighbors. By fostering friendship between our two countries and two peoples, centuries of peace and prosperity would follow.

On this note, may I invite everyone to join me in a toast to stronger friendship and closer cooperation between China and the Philippines,

To the prosperity of the Republic of the Philippines and the well-being of her people,

To the good health of H.E. President Aquino and every one present here tonight,

Thank you and Mabuhay!