Honourable Mr. Chow Kon Yeow, Chief Minister of Penang,

Members of the Parliament and State Legislative Assembly,

Heads of government departments,

Leadersfrom the Chinese Communities and Political Parties,

Dear colleagues from Consular Corps,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Dear friends,

Good morning!

I am very glad to meet you all via video link to celebrate the 73rdanniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.On behalf of the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Penang and my colleagues, I would like to extend warm welcome toall the distinguished guests and friends!I would like to express festive greetings to overseas Chinese and Chinese nationals abroad, Chinese enterprises, and overseas Chinese students in the northern region of Malaysia! I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to the friends from all walks of life who keep close attention and render valuable support to the China-Malaysia friendship and local cooperation between the two countries!

Time flies, flowing away day and night. 73 years have passed fairly quickly. Over the past 73 years, the Communist Party of China (CPC) has led the Chinese people in an unyielding struggle against all obstacles and challenges, and brought about the two miracles of rapid economic growth and enduring social stability that attracted the whole world’s attention. Since the 18thNational Congress, through our vigorous endeavor,we has kept forging ahead with fortitude and China’s economic and technological strength as well as its composite national strength have all jumped to a remarkable new level.People are able to live and work in peace and contentment, social stability and order prevail, and steady progress has been made in ensuringpeople’s access to childcare, education, employment, medical services, elderly care, housing, and social assistance.The Chinese people today focus their ingenuity and energy on the same goal. We have set out on a new journey of building a modern socialist country in all respects, and are making confident strides on the path toward the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

During 73 years of epoch-making changes and 73 years of forging ahead, China’s every progress, every transformation, and the realization of every dream is inseparable from the joint efforts of all the sons and daughters of the Chinese nation including the vast number of returned overseas Chinese or their relatives and overseas Chinese. Over the past 73 years, generations of overseas Chinese and returned overseas Chinese or their relatives have always stayed tied to the hometown. As the links and bridges connecting China and the world, they have made great contributions to China’s development.

Ladies, gentlemen, and dear friends,

Since the beginning of this year, we have effectively coordinated epidemic prevention and control with economic and social development. The COVID-19 pandemic has been effectively controlled, the national economy has registered a stable recovery,people’s livelihood has been protected sufficiently, and the momentum of high-quality development was sustained.

This year, by overcoming various difficulties and challenges, the Chinese people, along with people from around the world, have presented the world with a streamlined, safe, and splendid Winter Olympics and Paralympics. The success of the Games has  promoted exchanges and mutual learning between civilizations, and played a key role in strengthening solidarity and cooperation of the international community,overcomingthe challenge together, andinjecting confidence and hope into a turbulent and unstable world.

This year, we have been striving toward the goal of developing China into a world leader in science and technology and further enhanced our scientific and technological strength and innovation capabilities. There are many highlights in the major scientific and technological innovation achievements including the Micius Quantum Experiment Science Satellite (QUESS), Jimu-1 Type III floating airship, and Shenhai Yongshi manned submersible. In July, Wentian, the first lab module of China’s space station, has successfully docked withthe Tianhe core modulecombination. Seed samples Arabidopsis and rice were installed in the life ecology experiment cabinet of the lab module by the astronauts and they have germinated and are now in good condition.

This year, we have risen to the challenges brought by the complicated and challenging international environment, andthe resurgence of sporadic COVID-19 cases at home, etc. The national economy realized positive growth in the first and second quarter despite downward pressure, summer grain witnessed a bumper harvest, imports and exports of goods grew fast, and people’s living standard has been further improved. As the saying goes, building roads and railways creates prosperity in all sectors. A batch of landmark key infrastructure projects such as Hotan-Ruoqiang railway and Fuzhou-Xiamen sea-crossing high-speed railway have been completed successively. We are striding forward on the path of development and happiness.

Ladies, gentlemen, and dear friends,

China is always a builder of world peace, contributor to global development, defender of the international order, and provider of public goods. China’s confidence and readinessofstaying on the path of peaceful development come from the profound heritage of the Chinese civilization, the spiritual gene of the Chinese nation, and theaspirations fora happy life for the people. History has and will continue to prove that China’s development is theenhancement of forces making for world peace, and China’s prosperity and progress will bring more development opportunities to and inject greater impetus in the development of all the countries in the world.

Ladies, gentlemen, and dear friends,

At present, the pandemic of the century continues to wreak havoc.The world faces an unstable security landscape and economic slowdown.The negative spillovers of energy crisis and food crisis are mounting and world peace and development are facing major challenges. At this moment, we need to build consensus, and promote cooperation and common development. As the Malay proverb goes, asing lubuk asing ikannya, asing padang asing belalangnya (Different fishes live in different ponds, different grasshoppers can be found in different fields). Each country is unique with its own political system and development path. But peoples of different countries share the same desire for peace, happiness, civilization and progress. Countries treasure their own distinct heritages, appreciate other cultures and promote shared prosperity. Peaceful development and win-win cooperation have become the underlying trend of the times. Beggar-thy-neighbor, building a small yard with high fences, and forming closed and exclusionary small circles all run counter to the trend of the times. Those whoattempt to isolate others will end up isolating themselves.

Ladies, gentlemen, and dear friends,

The 21st century is a century of joint revitalization of developing countries and emerging economies, and it will also be a century for Asian civilizations to make glorious achievements again. China and ASEAN are linked by mountains and waters as well as hearts and aspirations, and are working hand in hand to seize opportunities to walk on a bright path of good-neighborliness and win-win cooperation. Meanwhile, as a pair of good neighbors, good friends, and good partners, under the strategic guidance of the leaders of both countries and with the joint efforts of the two peoples and friends from all walks of life, China-Malaysia relations have achieved leapfrog development, and the all-round cooperation between the two countries has yielded fruitful results, and brought greater benefits to the people of both countries. In July this year, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Malaysia. The two sides reached a series of important consensus, which will endow the China-Malaysia comprehensive strategic partnership with new connotations of the times.

The continuous development of China-Malaysia relations has continuously fueled regional exchanges and cooperation and enhanced efficiency. With their unique regional advantages and resource endowments, favorable business environment, and harmonious and diverse social climate, the four states in Northern Malaysia will definitely provide supports tothe continuous deepening of cooperation between the provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities of China, and the Northern Malaysia region. The two sides have broad prospects and huge potential for cooperation in various fields such as digital economy, green development, high-end manufacturing, and modern agriculture.

Ladies, gentlemen, and friends, 

The Communist Party of China will convene its 20th National Congress soon. This will be another important meeting of great significance. We bear high expectations for this congress and have full confidence in the future. Next year will be the 10thanniversary of the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Malaysia, and the year after next will be the 50thanniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. As the Malay proverb goes, bagai aur bergantung ke tebing，bagai tebing bergantung ke aur (We can’t tell whether the bamboo depends on riverbank or the riverbank depends on bamboo). China and Malaysia are a community with a shared future and share a common stake. We firmly believe that based on the geographical proximity and millennia-long friendship, supported by the cultural affinity and profound friendship between the two peoples, and highlighted by the complementary advantages and affinity through mutual exchanges, the future of the friendship between China and Malaysia will definitely be brighter!

Although the journey ahead may be long and arduous, with sustained actions, we will eventually reach our destination and embrace a brighter future. Let us join hands for a shared future, and contribute our strength and wisdom to the ever-lasting friendship between China and Malaysia!

Last but not least, let us wish our motherland a happy 73rd birthday.I wish China and Malaysia prosperity, and happiness to the people of both countries!

Thank you!