Welcome to our national day celebration. First of all, I wish to take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks to you for your presence.

This year marks the 60th Anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. Over the past 60 years, particularly, since the adoption of the reform and opening-up policy in 1978, great changes have been taking place in China. Remarkable achievements have been made in the political, economic, social and cultural fields. China has succeeded in obtaining a sustained and rapid economic growth, marked increase in the overall national strength, steady improvement of the living standards and constant betterment of its international standing. In the past 60 years, New China has gone from having poor economic foundation to being the world's third-largest economy. The Chinese nation is now standing firm in the East.

Meanwhile, China remains the biggest developing country in the world. China still lags behind more than 100 countries in terms of per capita GDP. Given the disparity between the urban, rural areas and among different regions as well as the imbalances in economic and social development, China still faces many difficulties. The task of reform and development is arduous and the road ahead is long.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The Chinese diplomacy has withstood the severe tests of fluctuating international situation and achieved world-acclaimed results over the past 60 years. China has strengthened friendly cooperation with all the other countries in the world comprehensively, and the number of countries with diplomatic relations with China has increased from 18 when the PRC was just founded to 171 today. China has participated actively in the activities of various fields of multilateral diplomacy, altogether joined over 130 inter-governmental international organizations and concluded more than 300 multilateral treaties. We have taken an active part in the international efforts to address global issues and worked vigorously for the proper settlement of hotspot issues, making positive contributions to the cause of promoting peace and development in the world.

Thirty years of reform and opening-up have brought historic changes in China's relations with the world, and China's future and destiny are now closely tied to those of the world. No matter how the international situation may evolve, China will always stand for peace, development and cooperation, pursue an independent foreign policy of peace, and stick to its diplomatic vision of upholding world peace and promoting common development. We are committed to following the path of peaceful development. We are committed to pursuing a win-win strategy of opening-up. We are committed to developing friendly relations and cooperation with all countries on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. We are committed to working closely with other countries to build a harmonious world with enduring peace and common prosperity.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Lastly, I wish to take this occasion to thank the United Nations Office at Geneva, other international organizations and Diplomatic Corps based at Geneva, the Swiss Federation and the Canton of Geneva for their cooperation and support. I also wish to express sincere appreciation to our international friends and overseas Chinese for their understanding and blessings to China.

Now, I would like to invite you to join me in a toast

To the growing prosperity of China,

To our friendship,

To the health of every one present.

Cheers!