Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

At the outset, on behalf of all my colleagues from the Permanent Mission of China to the United Nations, I extend our warmest welcome to all of you. Welcome to the reception in celebration of the 62nd anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and the 40th anniversary of the restoration of China's seat in the United Nations.

On October 1 sixty-two years ago, the People's Republic of China was founded. The founding of New China has made the Chinese people masters of our country, society and our own destiny. China made the great leap from a feudal autocracy of hundreds of years to a people's democracy, and realized great national unification and ethnic unity. The founding of New China put an absolute end to the semi-colonial and semi-feudal rule of old China and freed the Chinese people from oppression. The Chinese nation has since entered a new era marked by development and progress.

On October 25 forty years ago, the 26th session of the UN General Assembly adopted the historic resolution 2758, restoring the lawful seat of the People's Republic of China in the United Nations. The Chinese people, who account for a fifth of the world's population, had waited for this day for 22 years. It turned a new page for China-UN relations. It has also turned the United Nations into the most universal, representative and authoritative intergovernmental international organization in a real sense.

Over the past 62 years, the Chinese people have worked strenuously and innovatively, and kept abreast of the times. We have made great strides in the development and reform of the country, and found a path of development suited to China's national conditions. Constant improvement has been made in China's economic prowess, comprehensive national strength and people's living standards. China is now the second largest economy in the world. The 1.3 billion Chinese people, once lacking basic living necessities, are now leading a moderately prosperous life. This marks a historic leapfrog for China. Through its all-dimensional opening up, China has made important contribution to the development of the world. The interdependence and convergence of interests between China and the rest of the world are on the increase. Our exchanges and cooperation with other countries are expanding. China's achievements, both in its depth and breadth, and both in terms of its influence and progressive significance, are rarely seen in human history. We are very proud of these achievements!

The past 40 years have also witnessed the growing cooperation between China and the United Nations. As a permanent member of the UN Security Council and the largest developing country, China has always worked vigorously to push for the United Nations to play a core role in international affairs. It has been a staunch defender of the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, such as maintenance of sovereign equality, non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries, peaceful settlement of disputes and no use or threat of force. China is always a strong force for advancing universal security, promoting common development and safeguarding basic human rights.

Despite all the remarkable achievements we have made, the modernization drive in China, which is home to one-fifth of the world's population, is an unprecedented undertaking in the world. We are still faced with many difficulties and problems. China has a large population and weak economic foundation. This is China's basic national condition. There is still imbalance in the development of China's urban and rural areas and in different regions. Greater coordination is needed in China's economic and social development. Constraints caused by shortage of resources and the environment continue to be a challenging problem, and it is difficult to shift the mode of China's economic growth. The living standards of the Chinese people are not high. The social security network is yet to be improved. We will stay firmly on the path of peaceful development, and concentrate on improving people's livelihood. This will be a fundamental task for China for years to come.

Without its friendship and cooperation with other countries, China would not have made all its achievements. We will continue to draw on the useful experience of other countries. I wish to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt thanks to all the countries and people who supported the restoration of China's seat in the United Nations 40 years ago. I also wish to thank all the countries and people for their understanding, support and help given to China in its development.

Thank you.