Remarks by HE Ambassador Wu Xi at the Reception Celebrating the 69th Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China

尊敬的国防部长容恩·马克，

尊敬的外交贸易部礼宾司长迈克尔·斯温，

尊敬的国防军司令凯文·肖特中将，

尊敬的使团长与各国驻新大使，

尊敬的各位议员、各位嘉宾，

女士们，先生们，

　　感谢各位出席今天的招待会，与我们共同庆祝中华人民共和国成立69周年。今天也是中国亿万家庭团聚的传统节日—中秋节。很高兴这么多朋友与我们一起欢度佳节，祝大家中秋快乐！

Honourable Ron Mark, Minister of Defence,

Mr Michael Swain,Chief of Protocol, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and trade, 

Air Marshal Kevin Short, Chief of Defence Force,

Members of Parliament, 

Dean and Members of Diplomatic Corps,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

E ngā mana

E ngā leo 

E ngā lau langatila mā 

Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā tātou kātoa

Thank you all for joining us in celebrating the 69th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. It is also the Mid-Autumn Festival today, a traditional Chinese festival for family reunion. I am really heartened to see so many friends with us on this very special day, and wish you all a happy Mid-Autumn Festival. 

　　过去的69年是中国历史进程中极不平凡的69年。在中国共产党的坚强领导下，全国各族人民共同奋斗，开辟了中国特色社会主义道路。近代以来久经磨难的中华民族迎来了从站起来、富起来到强起来的伟大飞跃，迎来了实现中华民族伟大复兴的光明前景。

　　今年是中国改革开放40周年。40年来，中国取得巨大发展成就。自1978年以来，中国GDP年均增长9.5%，7亿多人摆脱贫困。目前，中国已成为世界第二大经济体、第一大工业国、第一大货物贸易国和第一大外汇储备国。

The past 69 years have been a truly remarkable journey in the course of the Chinese history. Thanks to the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China and the efforts of all Chinese people, we have blazed a path of socialism with Chinese characteristics. The Chinese nation, which since modern times began had endured so much for so long, has achieved a profound transformation: it has stood up, grown rich, and is becoming strong; it has come to embrace the brilliant prospects of rejuvenation. 

This year marks the 40th anniversary of reform and opening-up. Tremendous achievements have been made over the past 40 years. Since the implementation of reform and opening-up in 1978, China's GDP has averaged an annual growth rate of around 9.5%. More than 700 million Chinese people have been lifted out of poverty. China has become the world's second largest economy, the largest industrial producer, the largest trader of goods, and the holder of the largest foreign exchange reserves.