Your Excellency Dame Cecile La Grenada, Governor-General,
Dr. Rt. Hon. Keith Mitchell, Prime Minister,
Hon. Elvin Nimrod, Deputy Prime Minister,
Hon. Ministers,
Hon. Lawrence Joseph, President of the Senate,
H.E. Sir Daniel and Lady Williams,Former Governor-General,
Members of Parliament,
Permanent Secretaries and other government officials,
H.E. Ricardo Andre Vieira Diniz, Dean of the Diplomatic corps and my colleagues from Diplomatic corps,
My Fellow Chinese Compatriots,
Friends from the Media,
Ladies and gentleman:
I would like to extend my warm welcome and sincere appreciation to all of you for joining us this evening in celebrating the 65th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.
65 years ago, the People's Republic of China was founded, a new China rejuvenated from an old nation with a history of several thousand years. 35 years ago, since the policy of Reform and Opening-up was implemented, China accelerated its development and modernization. Today China is a open, democratic, energetic and responsible country. China enjoys economic growth, political stability, cultural prosperity, ethnical harmony and social progress. These achievements give us confidence in the path of socialism, the system of theories of socialism and the systems and institutions of socialism with Chinese characteristic.
Now the Chinese government and people are concentrating on deepening reforms comprehensively and making structural readjustment to improve the quality of economic growth, to further promote social equity,to advance socialist democracy, and to improve people's livelihoods. We are endeavoring to reach the goals of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects by 2020 and building a prosperous, harmonious, democratic and culturally advanced modernized socialist country by the middle of this century.
China's development is also attributed to the traditional Chinese philosophies of harmony, inclusiveness, cooperation and sharing. Harmony refers to peace and amity. We pursue peaceful solutions to international disputes and oppose hegemonism and power politics in all forms. China initiated Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence 60 years ago and has always and will always advocated it as the guiding principles in our foreign relations. The Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, namely mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence, have become the basic norms governing international relations as well as basic principles of international law.
Harmony generates inclusiveness. We respect differences among nations and values equality and justice. We believe in unity in diversity and respect the right of people of all countries to independently choose their own paths of development. Harmony and inclusiveness result in cooperation and sharing. We honor cooperation and mutual exchanges rather than conflicts and confrontation. We're glad to share opportunities and experiences with other countries for common development and prosperity. We welcome Grenada together with all the developing countries to get on board of the express train of China's development and to build a more bright future for the people in the next decade.
The relationship between China and Latin American and Caribbean countries is a good example of fulfilling those philosophies. Both sides of us stand for world peace, stability and development. Both are willing to enhance win-win cooperation and pursue common development and prosperity.
Two months ago, Chinese President Xi Jinping paid his second visit to this region in two years. During the visit, President Xi together with other CELAC Quartet leaders, historically announced the establishment of the China-CELAC forum to launch a new start of China-Latin America and Caribbean relationship of comprehensive cooperation.
China proposed a "1+3+6" cooperation framework. "1"means "one plan", which is the China-Latin American Countries and Caribbean States Cooperation Plan (2015-2019) for inclusive growth and sustainable development. "3" means "three engines, referring to trade, investment and financial cooperation."6" means "six major fields" of cooperation as the priorities, namely energy and resources, infrastructure construction, agriculture, manufacturing, scientific and technological innovation and information technologies.
We strive to promote two-way trade to 500 billion USD and China's investment stock to 250 billion dollars to this region within 10 years. We launch a 20-billion-USD package of special loans for infrastructure, a 10-billion-USD package of concessional loans for regional countries, a 5-billion-USD invest-commitment of China-Latin America (and Caribbean) Cooperation Fund, a 50-million-USD special fund for agricultural. Within next 5 years, China will provide 6000 government scholarships, 6000 training offers in China and 400 positions of in-house studying for Master's degree for regional countries. China will also invite 1000 party leaders from this region to visit China, establishing a China-Latin America (and Caribbean) Scientific and Technological Partnership Program and Young Scientists Exchange Program. We believe with the joint efforts China-Latin America and Caribbean States comprehensive cooperative partnership would be further pushed and both people will benefit from it.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The past decade witnessed a rapid development of our bilateral relations since the resumption of diplomatic relations between China and Grenada. We have enhanced mutual understanding and trust through frequent exchanges. A few days ago Honorable Nimrod led the NNP delegation to China and had fruitful meetings with the Chinese counterparts. Grenada is the first Caribbean country to initial the treaty on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters and treaty on extradition with China. Grenada is also the first Caribbean country to reach the agreement in principle of mutual visa exemption for holders of all categories of passports. In August, a young girl , Meleni Rodney, won the first bronze medal of 400 meter running for Grenada in the 2th Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China.
We have deepened our fraternal friendship through practical cooperation. The first patch of Low-Income Housing is ready to be assigned to the Grenadian people and more houses will be built for the beneficiaries. The St. Mark's River mitigation project has alleviated flooding in the rainy season for local people. The Athletic Stadium Restoration and Reconstruction Project is making good progress. The National Stadium has been maintained and refurbished by Chinese side since 2010 and has successfully held 9 regional and international cricket matches this year. Chinese agriculture mission in La Sagesse continues to focus on the grass root to improve their agricultural productivity. More and more Grenadians go to China to attend the training courses or study in various universities. The Chinese drama "DouDou and her two mothers-in-law"broadcasted in GIS shared the daily life of Chinese people with Grenadian friends. This is the first Chinese drama shown on Grenadian Television. We are expecting more interpersonal exchanges in the near future to deepen the understanding of the two peoples.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Please allow me to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt thanks to all the friends for your longtime support to China-Grenada relationship. China values this relationship and will continue to promote friendship and bilateral cooperation. The year 2015 will be the 10th anniversary of the resumption of China-Grenada Diplomatic relationship. Big celebrations will be given and series of cultural activities will be launched throughout the year to further promote mutual understanding and friendship. We welcome friends, brothers and sisters in Grenada to join us in celebrating this big event.
In closing, please join me in a toast:
To the prosperity of the People's Republic of China and Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique ;
To the happiness and well-being of the people of our two countries;
To the development of China-Grenada friendship;
Cheers!