Your Excellency Hernani Coelho, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation,

Your Excellency Jose Ramos-Horta, Former President

Your Excellency Rui Gomes, Chief of Staff of the Presidential Palace,

Your Excellencies Members of National Parliament, Ambassadors, Distinguished Guests,

Dear Friends,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

      Good Evening. I would like to extend a warm welcome to you, for joining us tonight to celebrate the 66th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

      During the past 66 years, the Communist Party of China has united and led the people of all ethnic groups in China to make arduous efforts in our national development and construction, which achieved brilliant success. China has put an end to poverty, and has become the second largest economy in the world. Through decades of innovation and practice, China has explored a path of socialism with Chinese characteristics. The core of Chinese path is that, we base ourselves upon the realities of the nation and the people, while taking into consideration of global environment, thus, we persist in liberalizing the mind and seeking truth from the fact, adhere to the reform and opening up policy, focus on releasing and developing productive forces, and strive for common prosperity among our people. The path of characteristics is our invaluable wealth acquired through decades of efforts and sacrifices, and is of great reference value.

      Ladies and Gentlemen,

      At present, in accordance with the Four-Pronged Comprehensive Strategy put forward by the CPC, the Chinese people are making concerted efforts to strive for the realization of the Chinese Dream of great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

      The Chinese Dream is not only a dream about enhancing the strength and prosperity of the Chinese nation and the well-being of the Chinese people, but also a dream of peace, development, cooperation and shared benefit among countries. It is consistent and interconnected, in particular, with the pursuit and dream of the countries in the region for their development, prosperity and people's happiness. Just as President Xi Jinping says, the realization of Chinese Dream will bring benefit to both the Chinese people and the people of the world. While concentrating on China's development, we are going to shoulder our responsibilities and make due contributions to the world. China stands ready to unite and collaborate with regional countries, including Timor-Leste, to jointly achieve our common dream of development and prosperity through mutual support and sincere cooperation.

      Ladies and Gentlemen,

      To make the Chinese Dream come true, we must maintain a stable and relatively fast economic growth. However, the stability of China's economy also relies on a healthy world economic environment. In 2015, uncertainties in and challenges to world economy grow, casting thick clouds over the world economic recovery. Against this backdrop, China's economy is also confronted with various difficulties and pressure. In the face of the complex and volatile situation, China has taken solid steps and systemic measures to ensure growth. The result is a steady economy moving in the right direction. China achieved a 7% economic growth in the first half of the year. The 7% growth is based on a 10 trillion US dollar economy, and is in fact the highest among the world's major economies. China's economic development has a bright prospect.

      China's steady economic development benefits the world. As statistics shows, China contributed about 30% to global growth in the first half of the year. The amount of commodities China imported has continued to go up. Our investment abroad has maintained rapid growth. The number of outbound tourists has notably increased. Last year alone, Chinese tourists made over 100 million trips overseas. In the first half of this year, the number rose by another 10%. Facts have proved that China is a real source of strength for world economic growth.

      Ladies and Gentlemen,

      China and Timor-Leste are comprehensive partners of good-neighborly friendship, mutual trust and mutual benefit. Our bilateral relationship has been built as a perfect example of mutual respect, mutual trust, and equality between large and small countries. Over the past 13 years, there have been frequent exchanges between our governments, political parties, and legislature bodies at all levels. Fruitful results were achieved through our exchanges and cooperation in agriculture, health and medical care, education, human resources training, and other areas. The 6-year long Chinese hybrid rice program has been a success on over 2,000 hectares of farmland and offered technical training to more than 2,000 agricultural technicians and farmers from Timor-Leste. China has sent consecutively 6 medical teams to provide high-quality medical services to more than 200,000 patients of Timor-Leste. Nearly 100 government officials as well as high school and college students have been granted Chinese government scholarships to receive higher education in China. And over 1,400 government officials and technicians went to China to attend short-term training in various fields.

      China will, as always, continue to support the economic and social development of Timor-Leste. Besides continuing to provide assistance within our capacity, we are willing to work together, as equal partners, with Timor-Leste to make the best of our respective comparative advantages in agriculture, fishery, infrastructure and other producing areas. We look forward to aligning China's "One Belt, One Road" initiative with Timor-Leste's Strategic Development Plan 2011-2030, and exploring the potentials of industrial capacity cooperation, so as to further push forward our mutually beneficial and win-win cooperation.

      Looking into the future, as Ambassador of China to Timor-Leste, I hold three beautiful hopes dear to my heart. Firstly, I hope that my motherland will enjoy even greater prosperity and realize the great Chinese Dream at an early date. Secondly, I hope Timor-Leste will achieve the development goal of becoming an upper-middle income country as scheduled. Thirdly, I hope the traditional friendship between our two countries be further strengthened, and look forward to seeing more and more tangible fruits from bilateral cooperation to better benefit our two peoples.

      Last but not the least, I would like to extend my sincerest gratitude to friends from all walks of life who make their efforts to carry forward the friendship between China and Timor-Leste.

      Now, may I propose a toast,

      To the 66th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

      To the brighter future of China-Timor-Leste friendship.

      To the health of all guests. 

      Cheers!