Your Excellencies,

Dear friends,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Labdien!

Today, we meet with joy at the splendid House of the Blackheads, to celebrate the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. I would like to extend a warm welcome and sincere thanks to all of you for your presence!

This year marks the final year of China’s 14th Five-Year Plan. During these five years, China's economy is expected to increased by more than 35 trillion yuan (4.92 trillion USD), almost equivalent to the volume of world's third-biggest economy. China’s contribution rate to world economic growth remains at around 30%, making China a major contributor globally. We have also lifted 800 million people out of poverty, and met the poverty reduction target of the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development 10 years ahead of schedule.

Despite external pressure, China’s economy maintains steady growth. We are advancing Chinese modernization through high-quality development and high-standard opening up, as domestic demand becoming a supportive pillar of economic growth. In the first half of this year, consumption contributed 52% of the growth, playing as the “main engine” of economy. Born out of relentless innovation, China’s new-quality productive forces, such as DeepSeek AI, humanoid robots, are developed at a faster and faster pace. China has been at the top in production and sales of EVs for 10 consecutive years. Up to now, more than 40 million EVs have been sold in China. And China has entered the top 10 of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)’s Global Innovation Index, for the first time.

China is becoming more and more open. Negative list for foreign investment access is shrinking. More and more foreign companies are investing in China and embracing opportunities. In the first half of this year, over 30,000 foreign-invested enterprises were newly established, increasing by 11.7% year-on-year. As China has extended a visa-free policy for many countries including Latvia, “visiting China” and “shopping in China” are heated up. From this January to June, over 38 million foreign travelers visited China, experiencing China’s vigorous development and the friendliness of Chinese people.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Not long ago, on September 3rd, a grand military parade was held in Beijing, China’s capital, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War. This event attracted great attention throughout Europe, sparking various interpretations. 

I would like to highlight that history cannot be distorted. In the World War II, the Chinese people’s resistance against aggression began the earliest and lasted the longest, with a huge cost of 35 million military and civilian casualties, making an important contribution to the ultimate victory of the World War II. The tenacious and unyielding resistance of the Chinese people won widespread sympathy and support among the peace-loving people in Europe as well as the whole world. 

To bear history in mind is not to prolong hatred. Rather, it is to ensure that lessons are not forgotten. Remembering history is not to be obsessed with the past, but to create a better future and relay the torch of peace through generations.

The Chinese people cherish peace profoundly. China has developed within the post-war international order. It is also a beneficiary and defender of it. Taiwan’s restoration to China in 1945 is a victorious outcome of WWII and an integral part of the postwar international order. A series of instruments with legal effect under international law, including the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation, have all affirmed China’s sovereignty over Taiwan. The Taiwan question is an internal affair that involves China’s core interests and the Chinese people’s national sentiments, and no external interference in this issue will be tolerated. The one-China principle is a prevailing consensus in the international community and a basic norm governing international relations. China will and must achieve reunification.

On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the founding of the UN, and in the face of the continuous emergence of global challenges and the ever-worsening governance deficit, President Xi Jinping has proposed the Global Governance Initiative (GGI) in response to the call of the UN and the aspirations of countries. Core concepts of the GGI are: adhere to sovereign equality, abide by international law, practice true multilateralism, advocate the people-centered approach, and focus on taking real actions. It aims to promote the building of a more just and equitable global governance system.

China’s intentions are transparent and sincere, as it seeks neither to start all over again nor to replace any other country. Instead, China aims to work with all responsible countries around the world to improve global governance through reform, truly safeguard the UN Charter, firmly support the U.N.’s central role in international affairs,effectively practice multilateralism and better promote human development and progress. I believe this goal is precisely what Europe expects and is in line with Europe’s interests.

China is a responsible major country and has the best track record in terms of peace and security. We remains firm in pursuing an independent foreign policy of peace and has always decided our position and policy on issues based on their own merits. China stays true to the principle of equality of all countries, big or small, strong or weak, and rich or poor, and develop friendly, mutual-beneficial cooperation with countries on the basis of mutual respect.

China believes that war cannot solve problems, and unilateral sanctions will only further complicate them. China does not participate in or plan wars, and what China does is to encourage peace talks and promote political settlement of hotspot issues through dialogue. Upholding the vision of global governance featuring extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit, China advocates an equal and orderly multipolar world and universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization. China believes, together, we will advance toward a community with a shared future for humanity.

Dear guests,

This year also marks the 50th anniversary of China-EU diplomatic relations. If we look back at this half century, mutual respect is the most precious experience for developing diplomatic relations. Mutually beneficial and win-win cooperation -- the most powerful impetus of China-EU relations. Multilateralism -- the greatest consensus benefiting long-term relations between the two sides. Cooperation partnership -- the most accurate positioning.

At present, the international situation is characterized by intertwined chaos and conflicts. China and Europe should be partners rather than rivals, and should cooperate rather than confront each other. Making the right choices amid the changes unseen in a century are the responsibilities that both sides should fulfill towards history and the people.

China regards Latvia as an important cooperation partner in the Baltic region. Over the past 34 years of China-Latvia diplomatic relations and, particularly, 31 years since the normalization of the bilateral relations, steady progress has been made. China appreciates Latvia’s willingness to actively participate in international multilateral affairs. This year, China voted in favor of Latvia’s candidacy for a non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council, which is a vote of confidence in Latvia’s participation in global governance and in the bilateral relations. Here, I would like to once again congratulate Latvia on this achievement.

Dear friends,

Last year here, I quoted a Latvian proverb: “Draudzība ir dārgāka par zeltu,” Friendship is more precious than gold. Many friends agree, because friendship is not defined by price. Like-mindedness makes for partnership, and seeking common ground while respecting differences also defines partnership. 

This year, I would like to share a Chinese proverb, “交得其道,千里同好。” which means a partnership forged with the right approach defies geographical distance. Looking to the future, China and Latvia could, on the basis of mutual respect, consistently enhance political mutual trust, enrich the cooperation, practice the true multilateralism, so as to respond to the expectations for better lives of the peoples and bring more benefits to them. 

Now, please join me in a toast:

To the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China,

To the friendship between Chinese and Latvian peoples,

To a bright future of enduring peace and shared prosperity for all humanity.

Prieka!