Your Excellency Ambassador Horacio Sevilla Borja, Permanent Representative of Ecuador to the United Nations,

Mr. Liu Qianwei, Chief Engineer of Shanghai Municipal Housing, Urban-Rural Development and Management Commission,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Dear Friends,

I am honored to speak at today's launching ceremony of the Shanghai Manual 2016 co-organized by the Habitat III Secretariat, the Shanghai Municipality and the Chinese Mission to the United Nations.

Located in the Yangtze River Delta and the Yangtze River Economic Belt, Shanghai has pursued an inclusive and sustainable approach to development for years. By cultivating an innovation-driven economy, transforming growth models and advancing urbanization, Shanghai has made important achievements in building an international economic, financial, trade and shipping center. I believe, as Shanghai's urban development experience could serve as a useful reference for other cities to realize sustainable development, the Shanghai Manual will surely make positive contribution to the international community's endeavors to promote sustainable urbanization.

In September 2015, the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which aims to "make cities and human settlements safe, resilient and sustainable", and to "enhance capacity for participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlement planning and management". In October 2016, the Habitat III Conference adopted the New Urban Agenda, which specifies that the international community needs to follow a sustainable and people-centered approach to urbanization. The international community should fully implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the New Urban Agenda. To that end, I have the following proposals:

First, we need to eradicate poverty, narrow the gap between the rich and poor, and promote economic growth, so as to consolidate the foundation of urbanization.

Secondly, we need to have well-conceived plans on urban scale and layout, improve infrastructure and public services, and strive for inclusive and sustainable urbanization.

Thirdly, the developing countries' difficulties need to be properly addressed. The international community, developed countries in particular, should honor their commitments in areas such as finance, technology, talents, open markets and debt relief, in order to provide favorable external conditions for urban development in developing countries.

The Chinese Government attaches great importance to improving people's living conditions and continues to advance new urbanization that is people-centered. In the past 30 years and more, China has experienced the fastest urbanization of the largest ever scale in human history, followed by significant improvement of people's living conditions. In March 2016, the National People's Congress of China adopted the 13th Five-Year Plan, putting into effect the philosophy of innovative, coordinated, green, open and shared development. China will promote urban residency for rural population living in urban areas, improve the distribution and layout of urban areas, improve the housing supply system, promote coordinated urban and rural development, and work to build harmonious, pleasant and vibrant cities with their own unique characteristics.

"Better City, Better Life." Let us join hands to build a community of shared future for mankind. Let us press ahead with inclusive and sustainable urbanization. Let us continue to improve living conditions and create a beautiful home for our entire human kind.

Thank you!