Ladies and Gentlemen,

Dear Friends,

As we speak, the world is confronted with accelerated changes unseen in a century and a protracted pandemic. The compounded challenges of economic recovery, geopolitical conflicts, climate change, and food and energy crises are posing unprecedented difficulties to global development. The world has once again reached a crossroads.

As the largest developing country, China knows full well the importance of development, and has made tremendous efforts in this regard. We have scored great achievements one after another, and contributed significantly to the common development of the world. Not long ago, the CPC successfully held its 20th National Congress. On its new journey, China will firmly pursue peaceful development, and advance Chinese modernization on all fronts. This will provide more opportunities for the world, inject stronger impetus into international cooperation, and further contribute to the progress of humanity.

China’s development is centered upon the people. For China, the realization of people’s aspiration for a better life has always been the fundamental purpose and goal of its development. China’s development is for the people and by the people, and its fruits shared among the people.

China has achieved a great victory against poverty. We have brought about a historic resolution to absolute poverty that has plagued the nation for thousands of years. We have realized the SDG on poverty reduction ten years ahead of schedule, and contributed more than 70 percent to global poverty reduction. China will achieve modernization through its own path for the over 1.4 billion population, This will promote common prosperity for all its people, and coordinate material and cultural-ethical advancement. In doing so, China will create another miracle in the history of human development.

China’s development is aimed at high quality. High-quality development is the priority task for China in fully building a modern socialist country. We will continue to pursue innovative, coordinated, green, open, and shared development. We will accelerate the building of a new development paradigm with domestic circulation as the mainstay and domestic and international circulations reinforcing each other. And we will work hard for better quality, higher efficiency, and more robust drivers of growth through reform.

With high-quality development also comes high-quality opening-up. At the G20 Summit and APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting held in Bali and Bangkok, President Xi Jinping made solemn promise to the world that China will pursue opening-up at an even higher level, and provide greater opportunities to the world through its huge market. China will continue to work toward joining the CPTPP and other free trade arrangements. China will consider holding the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation next year to provide fresh impetus for opening-up and global cooperation.

China’s development seeks harmony between humanity and nature. China has always acted on the belief that lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets. We are committed to the principles of prioritizing resource conservation and environmental protection, and letting nature restore itself. We are protecting nature and preserve the environment like we protect our own eyes. And we are pursuing all-round green transition in economic and social development to build a Beautiful China.

China actively participates in global environment governance, and honors its commitments regarding carbon peak and carbon neutrality. We have made great effort for the success of COP15 of the Convention on Biological Diversity, and are working closely with countries around the world in addressing climate change and other global challenges. Over the past decade, China has been among the countries with the fastest energy intensity reduction in the world. We have cut a total of 5.8 billion tons of CO2 emission, and we are home to both the largest carbon market and the largest clean electric power generation system in the world. China is leading the world’s green and low-carbon transition with concrete actions.

China’s development benefits the whole world. As President Xi pointed out, development is real only when all countries develop together. In September 2021, President Xi proposed the Global Development Initiative, which is aimed at meeting the long-term objective and immediate needs of common development of the world. The Initiative has won broad and active support from more than 100 countries and international organizations, and around 70 countries have joined the Group of Friends of the GDI. To facilitate the GDI implementation, China has established the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund, and will increase its funding for the China-UN Peace and Development Fund. We will make a list of items for practical cooperation, set up an open-ended pool of GDI projects, and draw up a roadmap for GDI implementation. Together with all parties, we are providing fresh impetus for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Secretary-General Guterres has on many occasions expressed his appreciation for the GDI, saying that it brings an important opportunity for the international community to fight the pandemic, seek post-pandemic recovery, strengthen solidarity and cooperation, and build global partnerships, and that it helps address the multiple challenges we are facing right now. Many ambassadors have also told me that, by honoring its commitments in implementing the GDI, China has brought confidence and hope to many countries.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Dear Friends,

China has embarked on a new journey toward fully building a modern socialist country. We are fully aware of the long journey and daunting tasks ahead. At the same time, we are fully confident of the future. No matter how the international situation may change, China will remain a force for peace, a force for development, and a force for progress. We will continue to stand with people around the world to promote global development and a better future for all.

Thank you.