Good afternoon everyone!

First of all, I would like to thank Ulster University and Confucius Institute for inviting me to attend the "Chinese Culture Week" and its many planned activities. Ulster University is world-renowned for its excellence in teaching as well as research, especially in the areas of art and design, photography and digital animation, computer science, health and medicine, to name a few. In recent years, thanks to the joint efforts of both parties, Ulster University has actively carried out educational exchanges with China, and its cooperative partnerships with Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Dongbei University of Finance and Economics and North China University of Technology have advanced impressively, becoming an important part of China- Northern Ireland cultural exchange and cooperation. 

Meanwhile, since its establishment almost a decade ago, the Confucius Institute at Ulster University has actively promoted its own cultural exchange activities, representing an important bridge today and into the future for the NI people to learn the Chinese language as well as better understand Chinese culture. It serves in enhancing mutual trust between China and Northern Ireland and deepens cooperation in numerous fields. 

All of you here today are Chinese cultural enthusiasts, China’s new era supporters, and proponents as well of Sino-British friendship. And I am very happy to take this opportunity to exchange views with you on China's future development.

As with any nation and people, to foresee the future of China we must first have an understanding of the Communist Party of China. And to do this, one must know the centenary history of the Party in uniting and leading the Chinese people. As you may well know, this year marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the CPC. With continued efforts, China has realized the first centenary goal of building a moderately prosperous society , bringing about a historic resolution to the problem of absolute poverty in China… and is now marching confidently toward the second centenary goal of building the nation into a great modern socialist country in all respects. The just conducted Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee of the CPC methodically summarized the major achievements and historical experience of the CPC, deliberating and passing the Resolution on the Major Achievements and Historical Experience of the Party over the Past Century. The Resolution emphasized the outstanding traditional culture as one of the great advantages of China. 

Here, I recommend that everyone who wants to enjoy a more comprehensive, in-depth understanding of the 100-year history of the CPC and China’s development take the time to read the full text of the Resolution. It will provide you with a greater appreciation for China’s learned wisdom, experience, as well its plans going forward.

Next, my friends, I would like to provide for you a brief introduction to China’s future development with respect to four primary areas: economy, culture, environment, and diplomacy.

First, with respect to the economy… China’s reform and opening up will take on new steps. Civilization is not comprised of one singular model, nor is there only one path in its unfolding development. The Chinese civilization believes in the philosophy of harmony but not uniformity, which encompasses a kind of openness and tolerance. As you may know, the Reform and opening up constitutes the basic national policy of China today.  The door of China’s market will never close. On the contrary, it will only open wider and with greater activity and opportunity. China is evolving a new development paradigm, with domestic circulation as the mainstay and domestic and international circulations reinforcing one another so as to achieve high-quality development; promote high-level opening up, integrated into the global economy more deeply; as well as continue to share development opportunities and draw upon a blueprint for beneficial development. Thus achieving greater results in unison with other countries throughout the world. 

Recently, President Xi Jinping made a promise at the opening ceremony of the 4th China International Import Expo that China will quote unquote “firmly safeguard true multilateralism; firmly share market opportunities with the rest of the world; firmly promote high-standard opening up; and firmly uphold the common interests of the world.” In the future, China will continue to expand its policy of opening up, focusing on open innovation, promoting trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, and making due contributions to the construction of an open world economy.

Second, with respect to culture… Chinese culture will become even more comprehensive and more prosperous. Promoting cultural prosperity and development is a key aspect of China’s future development plans. The "14th Five-Year Plan" clearly outlines the cultural ambitions of China in the new era, elaborating on the prosperity and development of cultural industries and the country's soft power. The goal is to become a prominent cultural and global power by 2035. In the future, China will continue to promote the inheritance and development of traditional Chinese culture excellence; enhance the awareness of cultural relic protection in the whole of society; increase cultural heritage preservation; and accelerate the construction of international communication capacity. All of this while communicating effectively to the world the true story of China, of the CPC, increasing China’s unique voice globally, while continuing its efforts in promoting beneficial exchanges and mutual learning across civilizations, cultures and peoples.

Third, with respect to environment… the construction of an ecological civilization will continue as planned. Historically, Chinese culture emphasizes the harmonious coexistence of man and nature, and the importance of "the way of nature". At present, the issue of climate change has become a common challenge for all mankind. As a responsible major country, under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization, China is accelerating the transformation of its economic development mode, promoting coordinated governance in response to climate change and the necessary protection of biodiversity.  During COP15 and COP26, President Xi Jinping announced that China would take the lead in investing 1.5 billion RMB to establish the Kunming Biodiversity Fund as well as a number of national parks, and set forward the goals of peaking carbon emissions before 2030 and realizing carbon neutrality before 2060. In the future, China remains undeterred in following the path of green, low-carbon, and sustainable development, making positive contributions to the building of a shared future for all life on earth.

And fourth, with respect to diplomacy… the world will continue to witness China’s commitment to building a community with a shared future for mankind as an active mandate. The pursuit of peace and harmony and the advocacy of "harmony but not uniformity" are deeply rooted in the spiritual essence of the Chinese people. Through globalization, the world has become even more indivisible as a community, one with a shared future. China firmly believes that the country will do well only when the world does well, and vice versa. The CPC will maintain its focus on the future of mankind, advancing joint cooperation with all progressive efforts throughout the world. China historically has been an active player in building toward world peace, a contributor to global development, and a defender of international order. In the future, China will always hold high the banners of peace, development and win-win cooperation – the only pathway to societal progress and its sustainability. It follows an independent foreign policy of peace, remains committed to peaceful development, and advocates for a new type of international relations in building toward a global community with a shared future for mankind. 

My friends,

2022 will be the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level between China and the UK. As permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and representing major economies in the world, China and the UK should resolutely implement the important results of the latest telephone conversation between President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Boris Johnson, working closely together in the direction provided by our respective leaders, and take action to raise our relationship to new levels of vitality by all meaningful measures. China attaches great importance to the development of friendly and mutually beneficial cooperation with Northern Ireland in numerous fields. We will always remain good friends and good partners. Since the establishment of the Chinese Consulate General in Belfast more than five years ago, the friendly and mutually beneficial cooperation between us has yielded fruitful results. The Consulate is committed to its role in serving as a bridge and bond, working together with all walks of life in Northern Ireland to manifest the next mutually beneficial five-year period of cooperation between China and Northern Ireland.  

I would like to point out in particular the Consulate is willing to strengthen further its strategic alignment with the Ulster University, jointly promoting the implementation of educational cooperation. This would include supporting joint college projects between Ulster University and its Chinese counterparts; expanding teacher training opportunities; student exchange programs; scientific research initiatives; strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation in advantageous disciplines, as well as in the sharing of educational resources. At the same time, we will continue to promote humanistic cooperation to strengthen people-to-people exchanges, helping both sides’ younger generations in the exchange of views through online and offline means, further securing the foundation of non-governmental friendship.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

As you know, this coming February the 24th Winter Olympics will be held in Beijing, making Beijing the first city to serve as host for both the Summer and Winter Olympics! It will represent a special moment in modern Olympic history and will make for a unique contribution to the international Olympic experience. At present, the preparations for the upcoming Games are progressing smoothly and have been highly recognized for such by the International Olympic Committee and greater international community. We are confident our working together with all parties will help ensure the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics will provide for a Simple, Safe, and Splendid Olympic Games experience for all. 

Personally, as Consul General I see the Beijing Winter Olympics as an opportunity to continue deepening relations between China and the UK, China and Northern Ireland, furthering practical cooperation in such fields as sports, the economy, trade, and people-to-people exchanges to an even greater degree.

In the spirit of such and on behalf of the Consulate, I would like to invite you all – actually encourage you – to visit China following the pandemic, and experience personally China’s beautiful scenery and extraordinary culture. See for yourself China’s remarkable country, its growth and development as we work together to promote even greater mutual understanding and a deepening of our esteemed friendship. 

For it is only through a unity of thought with action that we may see ourselves through to a more benevolent and shared future for all mankind.

Thank you all.