(26 August 2011)

Your Excellency Ambassador Nolana Ta Ama, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps in China,
Excellencies,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good afternoon. It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to Lanting to renew our friendship and witness the official launch of the photo album of China's Foreign Affairs 2010.

The photo album gives a vivid depiction of the dynamic development in China's external relations over the past year. With a focus on major diplomatic events involving China in 2010, the album captures from different angles the colorful moments of various diplomatic occasions and faithfully records China's progress on the path of peaceful development. The over 300 pictures in the album provide a glimpse of the major activities through which China promoted high-level exchanges and practical cooperation with other countries; they reproduce the vibrant scenes of friendly exchanges at the Shanghai World Expo and the Guangzhou Asian Games; they underscore China's policy and philosophy of constructive participation in international and multilateral cooperation; and they record the major operations in which the Chinese government made all-out efforts to protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese abroad. We hope this photo album will offer more information on China's diplomacy and give you a more direct insight into China's strong resolve to work with people of all other countries for a harmonious world of enduring peace and common prosperity.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Profound changes are taking place in the international landscape. Despite the overall peace and stability, turmoil and risks are on the rise. Global economic recovery is slow while sovereign debt crisis is deepening in some countries. The ongoing unrest in West Asia and North Africa has a far-reaching impact on the economic and social development of the countries concerned. International terrorism remains a grave threat while energy, resources, climate change, water and food security, and other global issues are acute. In the face of such complex situation and the common challenges in maintaining social stability and achieving sustainable development, countries around the world share a greater aspiration for closer coordination and cooperation. The concept of promoting development and security through cooperation has taken a deeper root in the hearts of all.

Committed to an independent foreign policy of peace, China is working vigorously to expand mutually beneficial cooperation and advance friendly relations with other countries. During President Hu Jintao's visit to the United States at the beginning of this year, China and the United States reached important consensus on working together to build a cooperative partnership based on mutual respect and mutual benefit. On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation between China and Russia, President Hu paid a successful visit to Russia, further deepening the comprehensive and strategic partnership of coordination between the two countries. China and the European Union have maintained regular high-level visits and launched the China-EU Year of Youth. China has continued to enhance good-neighborliness and friendship with its neighboring countries and played a positive role in promoting regional peace and development by taking an active part in regional cooperation mechanisms, reinforcing cooperation in disaster preparedness and reduction, and exerting efforts to defuse hotspot issues. China has further enhanced its solidarity and cooperation with developing countries by hosting a successful BRICS Leaders' Meeting, turning it into a platform for South-South cooperation and a bridge for North-South cooperation and taking practical cooperation in various fields to a new depth. China has been actively involved in international and multilateral cooperation. It calls for a central role by the United Nations in international affairs, supports the G20 summits in playing a greater part in global economic governance, advocates closer economic dialogue and coordination, and firmly opposes protectionism. Guided by the principle of putting people first and diplomacy for the people, the Chinese government has spared no efforts to deal with overseas security emergencies and provide effective protection to the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens and institutions abroad.

In the years ahead, China's relations with the rest of the world will enter an era of broader cooperation and closer interactions. With the comprehensive implementation of its 12th Five-Year Program, China will accelerate the shifting in its economic growth model to achieve sound and fast economic growth. In the 12th Five-Year Program, China's economic output is projected to reach about 8.6 trillion US dollars in 2015 and it is estimated that nearly 10 trillion US dollars worth of goods will be imported in the next five years, suggesting further expansion of China's business ties with the rest of the world. China cannot develop in isolation from the world. China's development will bring more opportunities to the world. We will remain committed to the path of peaceful development and the win-win strategy of opening-up, and work with the international community for world peace, development and prosperity.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

As China's interactions with the world grow, the world is increasingly keen on knowing more about China. To further facilitate the flow of information, dialogue and communication, we have decided to upgrade the Ministry's information release substantially. Starting from 1 September, there will be five regular news conferences every week instead of the current two, promising increased amount and timeliness of information. We hope that this change will enhance understanding of China's foreign policies and contribute to mutual trust and cooperation.

After the launch, we will have the China National Symphony Orchestra here to make some beautiful and relaxing music, both Chinese and western. I wish to thank the musicians in advance for their performance, which I am sure will be most brilliant. And I wish you all a great time in the relaxing music.

To conclude, I wish you every success in your work, happiness for you and your families, and good luck in everything. Thank you.