September 26, 2025

Distinguished Dr. Florian Herrmann, Head of the Bavarian State Chancellery and Minister of State,
Distinguished guests, dear compatriots,
Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends:

Good afternoon, everyone!

Today, we are here to celebrate the 76th founding anniversary of the People's Republic of China and commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. On behalf of the Chinese Consulate General in Munich, I would like to extend a warmest welcome to you all!

Over the past year, under the leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at the core, the Chinese people have forged ahead with innovation and determination, taking new and solid steps on the Chinese path to modernization towards the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. China has witnessed numerous major achievements and positive developments.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, as well as the 80th anniversary of the restoration of Taiwan to China. On September 3rd, a grand commemorative gathering was held in Beijing, including a spectacular military parade, to commemorate this momentous occasion with people around the world, with whom we are to jointly forge a brighter future. The grand military parade not only touched the hearts of all Chinese people and overseas Chinese communities worldwide, but also captivated the attention of people across the globe. President Xi Jinping, also General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivered an important speech to the grand gathering, declaring to the world that the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is unstoppable and humanity's cause of peace and development will prevail!

The year 2025 marks the conclusion of China's 14th Five-Year Plan. Over the past five years, China's economy and society have continued to develop steadily and with a high quality. By the end of 2025, China’s total economic output is expected to reach approximately 140 trillion yuan, with an increase of over 35 trillion yuan (approximately 5,000 billion US dollars) over the past five years. China's contribution to global economic growth has consistently remained around 30% annually. China has maintained its position as the world's largest manufacturing power for 15 consecutive years, and its production of over 200 major industrial products ranks first globally. New energy vehicle production and sales have topped the world rankings for 10 consecutive years, exceeding 13 million vehicles in 2024. By 2024, China's energy consumption per unit of GDP had decreased by 11.6% compared to that at the end of the "13th Five-Year Plan", making it one of the countries with the fastest energy intensity reduction globally. In 2024, with its installed capacity for renewable energy generation surpassed that of coal power for the first time, China has established the world's largest clean energy generation system. This achievement, while ensuring high-quality economic development, also represents a voluntary contribution by China to addressing global climate change.

This year marks the 70th founding anniversary of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and the 60th founding anniversary of the Xizang Autonomous Region. With the care of the Party Central Committee and guided by the CPC’s ethnic policies with ethnic equality and unity as the main characteristics, people of all ethnic groups, including the Uygur and Tibetan compatriots, have fostered a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation, closely united as pomegranate seeds that stick together, and achieved remarkable progress in comprehensive economic and social development, with ethnic unity further strengthened and people's living standards continuously improving—achievements that have won broad international recognition.

Distinguished guests, dear compatriots and friends,

Today, when the 80th anniversary of both the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War and the establishment of the United Nations is marked, the trend of peace, development, and win-win outcome through cooperation remains unchanged. However, the lingering shadows of Cold War mentality, hegemonism and protectionism persist, and new threats and challenges continue to emerge, ushering the world into a new period of turbulence and change, and placing global governance at a new crossroads. Following the principle that when one attains success, he should bring benefits to all under heaven, the Chinese people and nation have once again demonstrated their wisdom and responsibility as a major power.

On September 1st, at the "Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Plus" Meeting held in Tianjin, President Xi Jinping delivered an important speech, proposing the Global Governance Initiative (GGI), calling on to adhere to sovereign equality, abide by international rule of law, practice multilateralism, advocate the people-centered approach and focus on taking real actions. This is another major public goods China provides to the international community, following the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative and Global Civilization Initiative, injecting stability and certainty into a turbulent world. Once proposed, the GGI has been broadly welcomed by the international community. On September 5th, the 79th session of the UN General Assembly passed, by a large majority, the resolution on "Cooperation between the United Nations and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization" introduced by China with strong co-sponsoring. It’s commonly agreed that the GGI proposed by President Xi Jinping reflects the trend of the times and will play an important role in addressing global challenges and improving global governance.

China is not only an innovator in theory, but also a practitioner in action. This year, at a series of major diplomatic events held at home or abroad, including the 4th Ministerial Meeting of the China-LAC Forum, the 2nd China-Central Asia Summit, the SCO Summit and the virtual BRICS Summit, the initiatives and policies reflected in President Xi Jinping's important speeches and China's actions in practical cooperation are all positive contributions to the construction of global governance system, and to the cause of international fairness, justice, peace and development. China is ready to work with all other countries in the world, to solidly advance the reform of the global governance system, injecting more positive energy into efforts to promote lasting peace and sustainable development for the world and to build a community with a shared future for mankind.

China and European countries, including Germany, are all proponents of multilateralism, international order and international rule of law, and share broad common interests. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and the EU. In July, EU leaders visited China, and the two sides comprehensively reviewed and summarized the development of China-EU relations. This is of great significance for the future development of the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership.

In May, during a phone talk with German Chancellor Mertz, President Xi Jinping says that facts clearly demonstrate that the proper positioning of China-Germany and China-EU relations is as partners; a stable and predictable policy environment is an important guarantee for bilateral cooperation; and assuming the responsibilities of major powers is a shared mission for both sides. Chancellor Mertz states that, given the current international situation, cooperation between Germany and China, as two major economies, is of particularly important significance. The new German government adheres to the one-China policy and is willing to promote further development of the strategic partnership between the two countries with a constructive and pragmatic spirit.

The State of Bavaria is not only a pioneer in China-Germany relations, but also a leading force in Germany in promoting friendly cooperation with China. The Bavarian government and all sectors of society are highly enthusiastic about developing friendly and cooperative relations with China. Over the past year, through the joint efforts of both sides, China-Bavaria relations have achieved new progress.

This year, both sides solemnly commemorated the 50th anniversary of former minister-president of Bavaria Franz Josef Strauss' pioneering visit to China, upholding the tradition of friendship, implementing the consensus reached by the leaders and further deepening political mutual trust between the two sides.

In the field of economic and trade cooperation, China has been Bavaria's largest trading partner for nine consecutive years. In 2024, Bavaria's trade with China accounted for the largest share of all German federal states. This year, several major Chinese companies have established flagship stores or branch offices in Bavaria. The recent IAA Mobility registered a record number of 116 Chinese automakers and auto related enterprises participating, making it the largest group of international exhibitors. Some of the exhibited vehicles are now on display outside in our yard. The economic and trade cooperation between China and Bavaria has tremendous potential for further development.

The two sides have achieved remarkable results in sub-national friendly cooperation and people to people exchanges. A number of Chinese sub-national government leaders have led delegations to visit Bavaria, and many delegations from Bavarian state government, local governments and businesses have visited China. Cultural exchange activities, including performances by various art groups from both sides, have been frequent and successful.

The tree of friendship between China and the State of Bavaria, planted 50 years ago by Chairman Mao Zedong and Minister-President Strauss, has now grown strong and flourished, bearing abundant fruits.

Distinguished guests, dear compatriots and friends,

The development of China-Germany relations and the friendship between China and the State of Bavaria could not have been achieved without the active participation and strong support of people from all walks of life on both sides. Chinese compatriots residing in Bavaria have been long keenly following and supporting China's development, as well as the friendly relations between China and the Stated of Bavaria and between China and Germany, making positive contributions. On behalf of the Chinese Consulate General in Munich, I would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to all of you. My colleagues and I myself are willing to work together with our friends and compatriots in Bavaria to further strengthen our friendship, deepen cooperation, and jointly create a brighter future for China-Bavaria friendship, thus contributing to the development of China-Germany and China-Europe relations.