 |
In ancient China, 12 years was regarded as a "cycle", while Thai people call 72 years "six cycles". Looking back on the course since the founding of the People's Republic of China, we deeply feel that years flow, but history is not just a simple cycle.
Looking back on the dramatic transformation of 72 years, we are full of all sorts of feelings well up in our minds. China was once poor and weak and bullied by others. The founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949 completely ended the history of the semi-colony, semi-feudalism, and disunity of old China. Under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, the Chinese people have united, achieved the most extensive and profound social change in the history of the Chinese nation, established the basic socialist system, promoted socialist construction in the history of the Chinese nation, and stood tall among the nations of the world.
Looking back on the most uncommon 72 years, we are full of confidence. Starting from poverty and blankness, the Chinese people have worked hard to solve the problem of food and clothing for 20% of the world's population with 7% of the world's cultivated land. It took only a few decades to complete industrialization and establish a complete industrial system. After tortuous exploration, we crossed the river by feeling the stones and finally embarked on the broad road of building socialism with Chinese characteristics. At present, China is the world's second largest economy, the largest industrial country, the largest trader in goods and the country with the largest foreign exchange reserve. China has coordinated the domestic anti-epidemic and economic and social development, comprehensively deepened reform and opening up, stood at the new development stage, implemented the new development concept, built a new development pattern, promoted high-quality economic and social development and promoted common prosperity. In the first eight months of this year, China's major economic indicators maintained rapid growth. In the first half of this year, China's GDP increased by 12.7% year-on-year, showing a long-term development trend of good and steady progress, and continues to become an important engine of world economic growth.
Through the difficulties over 72 years, we are full of pride. On July 1st this year, President Xi Jinping solemnly declared in the important speech celebrating the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, "We have achieved the first Centennial goal, built a well-off society in an all-round way in China, historically solved the problem of absolute poverty, and are moving forward in high spirits towards the second Centennial goal of building a powerful modern socialist country in an all-round way." China has achieved a great leap from standing up, becoming rich to becoming strong, created a great miracle in the history of human development, and entered an irreversible historical process to realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
The secret of China's development and success lies in upholding and strengthening the overall leadership of the Communist Party of China. Under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China, we have overcome one difficulty after another and achieved one goal after another. Although the world's unprecedented changes have accelerated its evolution in a century, the task of domestic reform, development and stability is arduous; Although the international environment is complex and the situation in the Taiwan Strait remains unstable, we dare to overcome all difficulties without being overwhelmed by any difficulties. We have strong determination, firm will and strong ability to safeguard national unity and safeguard national sovereignty, security and development rights. No one can stop us from moving forward.
The increasingly powerful China is always the power to maintain world peace and stability. Under the guidance of President Xi Jinping's diplomatic thoughts, China's major-country diplomacy is committed to build a community of shared future for mankind. China adheres to being a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development and a defender of the international order, advocates a common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable global security concept, carries forward the common values of peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy and freedom of mankind, promotes the high-quality joint construction of the Belt and Road based on the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, and provides new opportunities for the world with China's new development.
COVID-19 pandemic is a major challenge facing the human society. President Xi Jinping announced during 2021 BRICS Summit that, China has provided more than 1 billion doses of vaccines and stock solution to more than 100 countries and international organizations, and will make efforts to provide 2 billion doses of vaccine throughout the year. In addition to donation of US $100 million to the COVAX, China will donate another 100 million doses of vaccine to developing countries free of charge during the year. China's responsible attitude and selfless assistance in international cooperation against COVID-19 have been widely praised by the international community.
China-Thailand friendship has a long history. The kith and kin relationship between the two countries is not just a diplomatic cliche, but a true portrayal of the close friendship between the two peoples. China and Thailand have always had the tradition of helping and supporting each other, which is a concrete manifestation of the deepening political mutual trust between the two sides. At the beginning of the outbreak of COVID-19, the whole society of Thailand actively expressed support and help to China. The slogan "Thailand and China, Two Lands One Heart" has been set up along the main streets of Chiang Mai, wishing the "relatives" in China to overcome the pandemic and tide over the difficulties. After the spread of COVID-19 in Thailand, China promptly donated masks, protective clothing, testing reagents and other medical materials to the Thai government, and has so far provided more than 27.65 million doses of vaccines. Thailand also actively supports and cooperates with China in implementing the "Spring Sprout" project in Thailand to vaccinate Chinese citizens. The anti-epidemic cooperation between the two countries has been fruitful. Despite the severe impact of the pandemic, China-Thailand bilateral trade still reached US $98.63 billion last year, an increase of 7.5% against the trend. China has become Thailand's largest trading partner for eight consecutive years. China-Thailand diplomatic relations have withstood the test of 46 years of trials and hardships, continue to mature and usher in important opportunities.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the Consulate General of China in Chiang Mai. Over the past 30 years, the Consulate General has received strong support and assistance from friends from all walks of life in our consular district. We will continue to work hand in hand with all sectors in Northern Thailand to share China's development opportunities and benefits. With the cooperation in pandemic prevention and control as the principal line, we will strengthen the connection of development plans with Northern Thailand under the framework of the Belt and Road and Lancang-Mekong Cooperation, promote people to people and cultural exchanges, and promote new achievements in bilateral relations. As the new Chinese ambassador to Thailand, His Excellency Han Zhiqiang, said in his remarks on taking his office: we are willing to work with Thailand to earnestly implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, constantly tap the potential, deepen innovative cooperation and jointly open up a more brilliant future for China-Thailand relations.
Wu Zhiwu
Consul General of the People's Republic of China in Chiang Mai
October 1, 2021