Honorable Prime Minister,

Your Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen, dear friends and compatriots:

Welcome to the celebration of the 68th Anniversary of the Foundation of the People’s Republic of China.

During the 68 years, under the leadership of the CPC, the Chinese people waged an arduous struggle, moved forward and transformed the poor and backward country into a rising world power with increasing comprehensive national strength and international influence. We successfully explored the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

During the 39 years of Reform and Opening up, China has maintained average economic growth rate of above 7%. Last year, GDP reached 11 trillion US dollars, accounting for 14.84% of the world’s GDP, foreign exchanges reserve reached 3 trillion US dollars, taking up 30% of global reserves, foreign trade turnover reached to 3.7 trillion US dollars.

This year, the Chinese government has carried forward “Four Comprehensives” strategic blueprint, promoted advance modernization in the state governance system and governance capability, speeded up supply-side reform, encouraged “mass entrepreneurship and innovation”, carried out a new round of high level opening-up, so that China keeps prosperity and peace, and our economy is stable and improved. In the first half of this year, the GDP growth stood at 6.9%, foreign trade increased by 19.6%, and China’s contribution to the world economic growth is above 30%. China launched the first Quantum Space Satellite, built the largest and the most sensitive radio telescope array in the world, successfully extracted the Methane Clathrate for the first time. Furthermore, China’s self-developed Jumbo Jet test flight was a success, the first self-constructed aircraft carrier was smoothly launched into the water, Tianzhou 1 cargo spacecraft successfully docked with Tiangong 2 space laboratory, before the end of this year, China will launch a lunar probe “Chang’e 5”, which will bring back the first samples of lunar soil for the mankind in this century.

Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends,

The international community provides opportunity to China’s development. And in turn, China is willing to assume more international responsibilities and obligations to constantly improve the global governance. China proposes the establishment of the new model of international relations based on win-win cooperation, advocates to safeguard and develop the open economy globally, strongly promotes the pragmatic cooperation in various fields, and strives to jointly build a large community of shared interests. This year, China successfully hosted the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, as well as the BRICS leaders’ summit in Xiamen. The Forum sent a positive signal to the whole world about jointly discussing, jointly building and jointly benefiting from the Belt and Road. The Summit paved the way for the second “Golden Decade” of BRICS cooperation. China’s guiding principles with the concept of “A community of shared future for all humankind to achieve shared and win-win development” in its core, is gaining positive response from more and more countries.

The 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China will convene in Beijing on Oct. 18. The congress is very important as the country is undergoing the decisive stage of completing the building of a moderately prosperous society in all aspects as well as the crucial period of the development of socialism with Chinese characteristics. The congress will summarize the historical process and the valuable experience of developing socialism with Chinese characteristics by the CPC Central Committee with Xi Jinping as its core, who has united and led the people of the whole country. The congress will thoroughly examine the current international and domestic situation, will fully take into account new requirements for the party and the country's development as well as new expectations from the people, will draw guidelines for actions and major policies that meet the requirements of the times, so as to open up a brighter prospect for China's future development.

Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends,

This year, we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Georgia. Both sides held grand celebrations on this occasion, to look back at our achievements, sum up the experiences and plan for the future. In recent years, our countries have maintained high level political exchanges, the cooperation between our parliaments, governments and political parties are constantly advancing, and the exchanges in various fields are becoming more and more active. The economic and technical cooperation is developing rapidly. China has already become a major investor in Georgia, a third trade partner and a second largest exporting market for the Georgian wine. The free trade agreement was officially signed and will come into force in no time. Cultural exchanges are becoming more and more active as well. The cooperation in the spheres of culture, education, social sciences, healthcare, tourism, environmental protection is rapidly expanding. The Belt and Road cooperation is constantly deepening. The first vice prime minister of Georgia, Mr. Kumsishvili and the minister of economy, Mr. Gakharia took part in the high level meetings during the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation held in China. At the end of November, the government of Georgia will organize the Tbilisi Belt and Road Forum. The Chinese government actively supports the Forum and will send a high level delegation to participate. I believe that the Belt and Road initiative and the active engagement of the countries will play a significant role in achieving prosperity in China and Georgia, as well as the whole region.

I would like to propose a toast to the 68th anniversary of foundation of the People’s Republic of China, the prosperity of China and Georgia, the further development of our relations and to the good health of our guests.

Cheers!