Remarks by Ambassador Cui Tiankai at the Reception Celebrating the 69th Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China

尊敬的白宫国安会亚洲事务高级主任波廷杰，

尊敬的皮坦格尔众议员，

各位来宾，

女士们，先生们：

　　欢迎大家来到中国驻美国大使馆出席今晚的招待会，与我们欢聚一堂，共同庆祝中华人民共和国成立69周年。

The Honorable Matt Pottinger, Senior Director for Asian Affairs of the National Security Council,

The Honorable Congressman Robert Pittenger, 

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good evening. Thank you very much for joining us this evening in celebrating the 69th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

　　在这举国欢庆的日子，让我们回顾新中国69年的历程，并共同庆祝改革开放40周年。

　　69年前，中国共产党带领中国人民经过艰苦卓绝的奋斗，结束了近代中国100多年战乱、屈辱的历史，建立了新中国。一个具有5000年历史的文明古国，开启了充满希望的新的发展历程。

　　69年来，从阴云密布的冷战，到家门口的两场热战，从围堵封锁的艰难，到对华遏制等挑战，新中国跨越了重重阻碍走到今天。占世界人口五分之一的中国人民，认准了自己的路，以非凡的勇气、勤劳的双手、奋斗的汗水，战胜千难万险，创造幸福美好的生活，坚定维护国家的独立、主权和稳定，推进国家的统一。

This festive occasion provides us with a good opportunity to walk through the 69 years of the People's Republic while at the same time embrace the 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening-up.

Sixty-nine years ago, the Chinese people put an end to the century of wars and humiliation after decades of heroic struggles under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), and founded the People's Republic. The 5,000-year-old ancient civilization thus embarked on a new and promising journey of development.

Over the past 69 years, China has overcome formidable challenges one after another. From the dark clouds of the Cold War to the two hot wars at its doorstep, from external embargo to containment, China has not only survived, but also thrived.

With courage, diligence and perseverance, the Chinese people, who account for one-fifth of the world population, have risen above all the hardships, charged forward on the path of their own choice, pursued a better life, maintained independence, sovereignty and stability, and promoted national reunification.