Speech by H.E. Ambassador Liu Xiaoming at the Reception in Celebration of the 70th Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China: Remain True to Our Original Aspiration and Write A New Splendid Chapter Guildhall, City of London, 9 September 2019

尊敬的英国外交部总司长穆尔先生，

尊敬的各位议员，

尊敬的各位使节，

女士们，先生们，朋友们，

　　大家晚上好！

　　今天是2019年9月9日，有三个“九”。在中国传统文化中，“九”有丰富、吉利、尊贵、长长久久的含义。欢迎大家在这个吉祥的日子出席中国大使馆的招待会，与我们共同欢庆中华人民共和国成立70周年！

Director-General Richard Moore,

My Lords,

Your Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Dear Friends:

Good evening!

Today is the ninth day of the ninth month of 2019. In the Chinese culture, nine is an auspicious number, symbolizing abundance, nobility and sustainability. On this triply auspicious day, it is a real delight to have you with us to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China!

　　新中国成立以来的70年，是中华民族浴火重生、披荆斩棘的70年，是中国人民众志成城、砥砺奋进的70年，是中国丰功伟绩、彪炳史册的70年，也是中国与世界各国深度交融、携手前行的70年，更是中华文明5000年长河中一座“巨变”与“不变”交相辉映的壮丽丰碑。

　　70年来，从封闭落后走向改革开放，从积贫积弱走向繁荣富强，中国的实力和面貌发生了“巨变”。

The past 70 years have witnessed the rise of the Chinese nation from the ashes.

They have seen the Chinese people united as one, blazing new trails and achieving historic feats.

They have also experienced the deep integration and close cooperation between China and the rest of the world.

These 70 years are a grand monument in the 5,000 years of Chinese civilisation. They are monument to both the tremendous changes that have taken place in the country and the unwavering aspiration, spirit and value of the Chinese nation.

In the past 70 years, China has changed tremendously: A secluded and backward nation has gone through reforms and opened up to the world; An impoverished and weak country has gained prosperity and strength.

　　中国人民用勤劳创造了经济奇迹。中国经济总量从新中国成立之初的300亿美元到2018年突破13.6万亿美元大关，增加450多倍，稳居世界第二大经济体，成为世界第一大工业国、第一大货物贸易国、第一大外汇储备国，200多种工业品产量居世界第一。随着市场准入不断放宽，投资环境持续优化，中国连续两年成为全球第二大外资流入国，吸引了98%的世界500强公司赴华投资。2019年《财富》杂志世界500强排行榜中，中国企业上榜数量首次荣登榜首，达129家。

The Chinese people have created an economic miracle through their hard work.

With the GDP increasing by more than 450 times, from $30 billion in the early years of New China to more than $13.6 trillion in 2018, China is now the world's

second largest economy,

largest industrial country,

largest trader in goods,

biggest holder of foreign exchange reserves,

and top producer of more than 200 products.

With increasing market access and improving investment environment, China has been the world's second biggest destination of foreign investment for two years in a row.

98% of the Fortune 500 companies have investments in China. Moreover, 129 Chinese companies have made to the 2019 Fortune 500 list, forming the biggest country group for the very first time.

　　中国人民用智慧创造了科技奇迹。新中国成立初期，毛泽东主席曾写过著名的诗句：“可上九天揽月，可下五洋捉鳖。”诗中的豪言壮语已经变为现实。中国在载人航天、探月工程、量子科学、深海探测、超级计算、卫星导航等诸多领域取得重大成果，创新驱动发展战略成效不断显现。中国研发人员总量、发明专利申请量连续多年居世界首位，是世界第二大研发经费投入国。中国移动宽带用户超过13亿，大数据、云计算、人工智能等现代信息技术蓬勃发展。

The Chinese people have created a scientific and technological miracle through their intelligence and wisdom.

In the early years of New China, Chairman Mao Zedong wrote these lines in anticipation of scientific advancement:

Clasp the moon in the Ninth Heaven;

Seize the turtle deep in the Five Seas.

What these romantic verses envision has now become reality. China has made remarkable achievements in manned space flight, lunar exploration, quantum science, deep-sea exploration, supercomputing and satellite navigation. These are all fruits of the strategy of pursuing innovation-driven development.

China has led the world in the number of R&D professionals and invention patent applications for many years in a row. It also ranks second in the world in terms of R&D spending.

China has more than 1.3 billion mobile broadband users. Modern information technologies, such as big data, cloud computing and artificial intelligence, are thriving in the country.