10 December 2012

State Councilor Dai Bingguo,
Your Excellencies Diplomatic Envoys and Representatives of International Organizations and Your Spouses,
Dear Colleagues,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear Friends,

I am delighted to find myself among friends both old and new at this gathering to see off the old year and ring in the new one. First, I want to give a special welcome to State Councilor Dai Bingguo and officials of Chinese government departments. I thank you for taking time from your busy schedule to be here and meet the diplomatic envoys and other friends present tonight. Over the year, the diplomatic envoys, representatives and other diplomats to China have worked hard to promote the friendship and cooperation between China and the countries and international organizations you represent. Your contribution is most valuable. Here, on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, I wish to convey the best New Year greetings to you and other guests present and express heartfelt thanks to all the friends who have followed with interest and supported China's diplomacy.

The year 2012 has continued to witness complex and profound changes in the international landscape. The trend towards a multi-polar world and economic globalization has gathered momentum. There has been greater cultural diversity and an information society is fast emerging. Global cooperation has expanded at multiple levels and on all fronts. Favorable conditions for the maintenance of overall stability in the world are on the increase. On the other hand, the world is still far from being peaceful. In a complex global environment, the exchanges and cooperation among countries are getting increasingly dynamic. More and more people around the world have agreed on the need to foster friendship through friendly interactions, resolve differences through dialogue and consultation, and achieve win-win results through mutually beneficial cooperation.

This year has been a very important year for China in the course of development. The 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China has been successfully held. The Congress identified the goal of completing the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects and deepening reform and opening up in an all-around way, and adopted a comprehensive plan for advancing the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics under new circumstances. The report to the 18th Congress stresses that China will continue to hold high the banner of peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefit, promote equality, mutual trust, inclusiveness, mutual learning and mutually beneficial cooperation in international relations, firmly pursue an independent foreign policy of peace, unwaveringly follow the path of peaceful development and grow friendship and cooperation in all fields with other countries on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence.

This year has also seen fresh and important progress in China's diplomatic work, as evidenced by the country's growing international standing and influence. Chinese leaders have successfully attended a series of major multilateral events, including the Fourth BRICS Leaders Meeting, the G20 Los Cabos Summit and the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Vladivostok, and had in-depth discussions with global leaders on resolving major international and regional issues. Chinese leaders made 19 important visits abroad, while 59 visits by foreign leaders were hosted in China. Such exchanges have given a strong boost to the friendly and cooperative relations between China and other countries. We have advanced our ties with other countries and deepened good-neighborly friendship and cooperation with our neighbors. We have further played a responsible and constructive role of a big country in dealing with international and regional hotspot issues, worked actively to push for peaceful settlement of the relevant disputes and issues, and stood for non-intervention in others' internal affairs and other basic norms governing international relations. We have carried out extensive public diplomacy activities as well as cultural and people-to-people exchanges to encourage deeper understanding and friendship between the Chinese people and people of other countries.

Next year will be the first year in the implementation of the spirit of the 18th Party Congress. China will make new progress in completing the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects and accelerating socialist modernization. China's diplomacy will maintain continuity and consistency and, on that basis, adapt itself to new developments and requirements, both domestically and internationally. We will keep abreast of the times and work with enterprise and innovation. We will seek to create a more favorable international environment for our efforts to complete the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects and achieve socialist modernization. China will, together with all other countries, share opportunities, tackle challenges, and make new and greater contribution to the lofty cause of peace and development for mankind.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

In the coming year, we look forward to maintaining good cooperation with all of you and stepping up mutual support and coordination with all relevant agencies. Let us work together to promote China's friendship with countries around the world.

Now, I wish to propose a toast,

to world peace and the prosperity of all peoples,

to China's friendly relations with all other countries ,and

to the health and happiness of our guests and friends.

Cheers!