Hon. Billy Graham Talagi,

Distinguished guests and friends,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Fakaalofa lahi atu!

On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the People's Republic of China and the Constitution Day of Niue, we gathered together here in the beautiful island nation of Niue.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my congratulations to Niue on the occasion of Constitution Day, and thank the Government of Niue for its support of this reception and the Niuean people for their warm Pacific hospitality.

October 1st this year marked the 70th anniversary of the People's Republic of China. Over the past seven decades, under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, the Chinese people, with perseverance and strenuous efforts, have stood up, becoming confident, prosperous and stronger. Chinese people’s living standards have improved dramatically. We have lifted more than 700 million people out of poverty over the past four decades alone.

China has gone from being a poor and backward agricultural country, to being the world's second-largest economy, largest industrial manufacturer, and largest trader of goods. China has made remarkable scientific and technological advancements. These span many fields, from manned space flight and lunar exploration to quantum science, deep-sea exploration, supercomputing and satellite navigation.

China’s development over the past seven decades has also allowed us to make great contributions to world peace and development. We are responsible for more than 30% of recent global economic growth, making China the main engine and stabilising force of the world economy.

China is now an architect of world peace and a guardian of the global order, contributing wisdom and strength to the promotion of world peace and prosperity. China's diplomacy advocates building a new type of international relations - one grounded in fairness, justice and win-win cooperation, creating an open, inclusive and sustainable world that enjoys lasting peace, universal security and common prosperity.

The ‘Belt and Road’ Initiative aims at infrastructure connectivity, policy coordination, unimpeded trade, financial integration and close people to people exchange. It is of increasing global significance, with far-reaching implications for international relations and steering human society towards a brighter future. China will continue to hold up the banners of peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefit, and keep firmly to the path of peaceful development. We will stay committed to opening-up and working with people from all countries to build a community with a shared future for mankind, and to create a world defined by peace and development.

Over the past 12 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Niue, bilateral relations have progressed well, with ongoing and constructive cooperation across fields such as fisheries and tourism. Ring road upgrade supported by China is progressing steadily, and we have achieved tangible results in international and regional affairs through close and trusting communication.

Last November, President Xi Jinping met with leaders from eight Pacific countries, which have established diplomatic ties with China, in Papua New Guinea. All the leaders unanimously agreed to upgrade their relationships with China to a comprehensive strategic partnership of mutual respect for common development. President Xi also met with Premier Toke Tufukia Talagi. The leaders reached an important consensus on mutually beneficial cooperation, one which has added new energy to the development of bilateral relations. China appreciates Niue’s long-term adherence to the One China policy and is ready to work with Niue to implement the outcome of the meeting between the two leaders to further advance China-Niue relations.

Here in Niue and across the Pacific, one of the greatest challenges facing island countries is climate change. China attaches great importance to the special concerns and legitimate demands of Pacific island countries in combatting climate change and has supported island countries to strengthen regional cooperation. China is firmly committed to the Paris Agreement on climate change and will fulfill the domestic goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. China will continue to provide assistance within its capacity to Pacific island countries through South-South cooperation to help them improve their capacities in combatting climate change, and support island countries to bring more ‘Pacific Voice’ in the multilateral process of climate change.

This year, we successfully launched the ‘China Pacific Tourism Year 2019’. Today, the China National Symphony Orchestra made a special trip to perform for the Niuean people. This is another example of closer cultural exchanges between our two countries, demonstrating the common expectation of our two peoples for a better future. China stands ready to work with Niue to promote pragmatic cooperation in various fields for the benefit of our two peoples and to make positive contributions to the prosperity and development of the region and beyond.

Ladies and gentlemen，China today is being created by the hands of hundreds of millions of Chinese people, and the friendly relationship between China and Niue is being created by the hands of all of us here today. China is looking forward to an ever brighter future，and I am certain China-Niue relations will continue to grow and usher in ever greater prosperity!

I believe that the results of our fruitful relations will deliver strong and genuine benefits for the people of China and Niue!

To conclude, I would like to propose a toast:

To Constitution Day of Niue,

To the 70th Anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China,

To the friendship between the people of China and Niue,

And to the health of everyone here today.

Cheers!