Honorable Ministers,

Honorable members of Seimas,

Distinguished ambassadors,

Ladies and gentlemen, my fellow Chinese:

At the eve of Oct 1 Beijing Time, we are gathering here tonight for a grand celebration of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. On behalf of the Chinese Embassy, I would like to extend warm welcome and sincere greetings to all the guests present today.

Seven decades is no more than a blink of eye in the long history of humankind. Starting with poverty and weakness, this country becomes what it is now in just seven decades - the world’s second-largest economy, the world’s largest industrial country, the world’s largest commodity trading country, and the country with the largest foreign exchange reserves. With living standards dramatically improved, its people has developed a mentality featuring openness, confidence and vitality. Such a drastic transformation and miracle has truly occurred in China-the oriental part of the world.

Right now we have watched the video clip of “ Dream Chasers “. They are ordinary Chinese people, but also masters of China. The video is a true depiction and reflection of the life and aspiration of 1.4 billion Chinese people. As President Xi Jinping has solemnly declared, it is our mission to meet the people’s desire for a happy and good life. Over the past 70 years, the CPC and the government have always adhered to the people-first principle, prioritizing the rights to subsistence and development. It endeavors to deal with the most pressing, most immediate issues that concern the people the most. Efforts have been made to improve the well-being and living standards of the Chinese people, ensuring people’s access to childcare, education, employment, medical services, elderly care, housing, and social assistance. All members of the society enjoy the rights to equal participation and equal development. People’s sense of gain, sense of happiness and sense of security have been constantly improved.

Over the past 70 years, the number of Chinese people living in poverty has dropped by more than 850 million, representing 70 percent of the total world figure. China has built the world’s biggest mobile broadband network with over 1.3 billion users, the world's longest expressway and high-speed railway as well as boasting the biggest number of privately-owned vehicles. Modern information technologies such as big data, cloud computing, artificial intelligence and 5G are booming, which greatly facilitates and enriches peoples’ daily life. The world’s largest social security system has been established, involving pensions for senior citizens, health care, minimal living allowances and subsidies for housing. The basic national pension scheme covers 900 million residents and medical insurance covers over 1.3 billion people.

The development of China continues to benefit more countries and peoples. China will steadfastly deepen reform and opening-up to promote high-quality development of the economy. China’s door of opening-up will not be closed and will only open even wider. Advocating win-win cooperation with countries around the world, China has put forth “Belt and Road Initiative”. Guided by the principle of consultation and cooperation for shared benefits, the BRI has created a brand new model of international cooperation. A more open China will be engaged in a sounder interaction with the rest of the world, delivering greater progress and prosperity for both China and the world at large.

China follows the path of peaceful development and works to build a community with a shared future for mankind. Further integrating itself into international system, China has actively taken part in global governance and multilateral cooperation combating terrorism, proliferation of nuclear weapons and climate change as well as increasing its aid for international development. China endeavors to build a fairer and more equitable global governance system.

In the era of numerous challenges and increasing risks, countries around the world have found their future tied together like never before. China is ready to work together with Lithuania to plan and put forward friendly bilateral cooperation with a wider vision and firm confidence. Joint efforts of our two countries will also be made to maintain multilateralism, free trade and international order on the basis of rules, so as to deliver greater benefits to the two peoples as well as to make new contributions to building a community of a shared future for mankind and making the world a better place.

Now please join me in a toast:

To the 70th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China

To China-Lithuania friendship and cooperation

To the health of every one of you and your family.

Cheers!