Good Evening!

Welcome to the reception for celebrating the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.

This year marks the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. Over the past 76 years, China has transformed from a poor and weak country into a moderately prosperous society in all respects, and has embarked on a new journey to fully build a modern socialist country. The Chinese nation has achieved the great transformation from standing up and growing prosperous to becoming strong. The rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is an unstoppable historical trend.

This year marks the final year of China’s 14th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development. China has made new achievements in its modernization drive. In the first half of this year, China’s economy has continued to move forward with steady progress. the GDP grew by 5.3 percent year-on-year, exports increased by 7.2 percent, and the total value of imports and exports of goods exceeded 21 trillion RMB. New quality productive forces were advancing vigorously, risks in key areas were effectively prevented and defused, consumer price and employment were generally stable, and the people’s wellbeing was further strengthened. The Communist Party of China (CPC) launched a Party-wide education campaign to implement its central leadership's “eight-point decision on improving work conduct”, fostering a more sound political ecosystem featuring honesty and integrity in China. Next month, the CPC will convene the Fourth Plenary Session of its 20th Central Committee to deliberate on the proposals for formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan. On its foreign relations, China highly held the banner of building a community with a shared future for humanity, and advanced major country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics in depth, injecting stability and certainty into a turbulent world. China firmly stood on principles, withstood foreign pressures, and safeguarded its own interests as well as international fairness and justice. China promoted the building of a community with a shared future with neighboring countries, commemorated the 70th anniversary of the Bandung Conference to further solidarity and cooperation among Global South countries, facilitated the establishment of the International Organization for Mediation, and held the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit. Our resolve and confidence in advancing Chinese modernization have become even stronger.

This year has also witnessed the robust growth of China-Liberia strategic partnership.  

Strategic mutual trust has become stronger. President Xi Jinping and President Joseph Nyuma Boakai maintain regular contact through letters and other forms, providing strong strategic guidance for bilateral relations. China appreciates Liberia's commitment to the one-China principle and its support for China's legitimate stance. China will continue to render mutual support to Liberia. China supported Liberia in its bid to become a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2026-2027 term and is willing to enhance communication and coordination with Liberia in multilateral affairs. Congratulations again, Liberia, on the election!

High-level exchanges have maintained good momentum. In June, Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung and Minister of Commerce and Industry Magdalene Dagoseh attended the Ministerial Meeting of Coordinators on the Implementation of the Follow-up Actions of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo in Changsha. Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with the Vice President, which was another important high-level bilateral exchange after the meeting between President Xi and President Boakai in 2023. Other ministers and legislators also visited China in various forms. From China, Mr. Qin Weizhong, Mayor of Shenzhen, and Mr. Sang Weiliang, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Guizhou Provincial People’s Congress, visited Liberia. China and Liberia maintained close exchanges on governance and development.

Practical cooperation has deepened further. China has fully implemented zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines on Liberian products. In the first half of this year, bilateral trade in goods increased by about 30 percent. The Two Overpass Bridges on Tubman Boulevard were just broken ground a few days ago. Smooth progress has also been made in other projects, including the Refurbishment and Expansion Project for Liberia Broadcasting System, the National Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment Laboratory, the Agricultural Machinery Modernization Project, Food Assistance, Bamboo and Rattan Weaving and Vegetable Planting Project, Police Supplies, etc.

People-to-people exchanges have become closer. Since the beginning of this year, the Chinese Embassy has issued more than 2,600 visas to Liberians, representing a 35-percent increase compared to the first half of last year. More than 100 Liberian students were newly enrolled for studies in China, and more than 200 attended training programs. Next year will be the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges, and a series of events are under preparation. China looks forward to carrying out wonderful people-to-people activities with Liberia.

Ladies and gentlemen,

This year marks the 80th Anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. In 1931, Japanese imperialists staged the September 18th Incident (the Mukden Incident), and the Chinese people rose in resistance, which marked the beginning of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and served as a prelude to the World Anti-Fascist War. After a full 14 years, 80 years ago in 1945, Japan surrendered. Chinese people had defeated the Japanese aggressors and achieved the great victory of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. This also marked the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War.

This War was a great war fought with extreme difficulties. During the war, China suffered tremendous sacrifices with over 35 million military and civilian casualties and economic losses exceeding 500 billion US dollars. The Chinese battlefield contained and resisted more than two-thirds of the Japanese Army's total strength, with enemy casualties accounting for 70 percent of the total Japanese casualties during World War II, thereby strategically supporting the anti-fascist war in other parts of the world. Under the banner of the National United Front against Japanese aggression initiated by the CPC, the Chinese people achieved the first complete victory in resisting foreign aggression in modern times. It was a historic turning point for the Chinese nation emerging from the grave crises in modern times to embark on the journey toward great rejuvenation; it was also a major turning point in the course of world history.

This War was an important part of the World Anti-Fascist War. With huge national sacrifice, the Chinese people made major contributions to saving human civilization and safeguarding world peace. Liberia declared war on Germany and Japan in January 1944, officially entering the World Anti-Fascist War to support the Allied powers, and made great contributions as well. China also received extensive support from the international community for this War. China will never forget the foreign governments and international friends who supported and assisted the Chinese people in resisting aggression.

Today, we are exhibiting precious historical photos here to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. The purpose is not to perpetuate hatred, but to remember history, honor fallen heroes, cherish peace, and create a better future.

In commemorating this victory, we realized that justice, light and progress will inevitably triumph over evil, darkness, and regression.  At all times, we must advocate the common values of humanity, resolutely defend international fairness and justice, and ensure righteousness prevails and brightness shines in our world. It is particularly important to uphold the major outcomes of the World Anti-Fascist War, such as the international system with the United Nations at its core, and Taiwan's restoration to China.

In commemorating this victory, we realized that humanity rises and falls together. Only when all countries and nations treat each other as equals, coexist in peace and support each other, can we uphold common security, eradicate the root cause of war, and prevent the recurrence of historical tragedies.

In commemorating this victory, we realized that we humans all share the same planet. We must pull together in solidarity and harmony, and ensure that the law of the jungle never makes a comeback. At all times, we must always commit to the path of peaceful development, stay resolved to safeguard global peace and tranquility, and work together to build a community with a shared future for humanity.

The year 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. The current international landscape is undergoing profound changes and turbulence. The UN and multilateralism are being challenged severely. The deficit in global governance continues to grow. In response, President Xi Jinping recently proposed the Global Governance Initiative (GGI) at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Plus Meeting. Its core concepts—staying committed to sovereign equality, staying committed to international rule of law, staying committed to multilateralism, staying committed to the people-centered approach, and staying committed to real results—stem from the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and respond to the shared aspiration of most countries. China and Liberia were respectively the first country in the world and in Africa to sign the UN Charter, which makes it particularly important for the two countries to play a leading role in building a more just and equitable global governance system. China will strengthen joint efforts with Liberia and other parties to explore ways to reform and improve global governance and open up a bright future of peace, security, prosperity, and progress.

Now, I would like to propose a toast:

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

To the great victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War,

To the friendship and cooperation between China and Liberia,

To the peace and prosperity around the world,

Cheers!