Dear Chinese compatriots,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Today is XIAONIAN in China, marking the preliminary eve of the Spring Festival. As the Year of Dragon is around corner, I’m very glad to celebrate the new year with all the friends here. On behalf of Chinese Consulate General in Mumbai, I would like to wish all of you a healthy, prosperous and auspicious year ahead.
In 2023, Chinese economy performed pretty well. I would like to share a few figures. As Chinese GDP has grown by 5.2% to over 126 trillion yuan in 2023, China is expected to contribute over 30% of the global economic growth, remaining the main engine of global economy. With 41.76 trillion yuan of export and import value, China has secured its position as the largest trader of goods for 7 consecutive years. China auto export exceeded 5 million last year, pushing China to be the No.1 auto exporter in the world. Of the 5 million automobiles, 1.7 million are EVs. The combined export of EVs, lithium batteries and solar panels surpassed 1 trillion yuan, making China a global leader in new energy industry. China’s grain output rose 1.3% year on year to hit a record high of nearly 700 million tonnes, making 2023 the 20th consecutive bumper harvest year.
In 2023, we successfully held the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation which attended by over 10,000 registered representatives from 151 countries and 41 international organizations. Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, and Ethiopia formally joined the BRICS group. With China’s mediation, Iran and Saudi Arabia restored diplomatic ties. China has had a growing network of friends, made more and more new friends, and strengthened ties with old ones. More developing countries are sticking together in collaboration to realize self-reliance and self-strength. The multilateral cooperative mechanisms like BRI and BRICS have shown greater vitality. We are taking more solid steps toward the building of a community with a shared future for mankind which has become a source of certainty for lasting peace and shared prosperity in the world.
Today, I’m glad to see so many Chinese compatriots celebrate together. I would like to say a few words from my hearts.
We always keep you in the most important part of our hearts. Last year, my colleagues and I visited a dozen of cities and counties in my consular district and held 8 forums. I can say wherever there were Chinese compatriots or Chinese citizens, there were footprints of our diplomats. In the Dragon Boat Festival and the Mid-Autumn Festival, we together with you enjoyed Zongzis and moon cakes from China. Today we also prepare Chinese calendars and Spring Festival gift bags, please bring back home this familiar taste of NIAN. In 2023, despite the difficulties, Chinese companies achieved pretty good performance and actively participated in social welfare undertakings. Yapp India, a Chinese company in Pune, completed the infrastructure upgrade project in S.M.C No.1 High School in Solapur, Dr. Kotnis’ hometown. Last December, I attended the inauguration ceremony of the project. The thunderous applause from the kids made me deeply feel their heartfelt gratitude and true friendship between Chinese and Indian people. I’m also very glad to know that Sany, Haier and many other Chinese companies also engage in social welfare undertakings and contribute to development of local society. On behalf of the Consulate General, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks and respect to everyone for your hard work and selfless dedication over the past year.
I would also like to take this opportunity to extend my New Year greetings to my Indian friends.
In 2023, India has made significant achievements in various aspects. The economic growth rate reached 7.3 percent, topping the major economies in the world. In the Asian Game held last year in Hangzhou,China, Team India won 107 medals, crossing the 100 medal mark for the first time in history. Chandrayaan-3 has successfully landed on the moon, making India the fourth country to complete the feat. I would like to take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt congratulations to all Indian friends.
2023 marks a year of achievement and harvest for both China and India. It is the extensive cooperation between our two peoples that makes it happen. The China-India trade volume has surpassed 136.2 billion dollars in 2023, demonstrating strong and resilient economic ties between us. Chinese Embassy and Consulates-General in India have issued over 1.8 lakh visas last years, showing a new high of Indian visitors to China after the pandemic. We held a promotion event for China International Import Exhibition, calling on more Indian companies to look to Chinese market, the second largest in the world. We held Chinese Proficiency Competition, the first time in Mumbai, inspiring Indian youngsters to learn Chinese. These events gave me a very deep impression that the economic and cultural connections between our two peoples are so strong that nothing and nobody could push us apart. One of the biggest news in Mumbai these days is that the Mumbai Coastal Road is set to open this month. It is worth noting that the tunnel under Malabar hill, the hardest part of the project, was built with a Chinese Tunnel Boring Machine by the efforts of both Chinese and Indian engineers. I’m glad to see that the China-India cooperation make such a contribution to this pride of Mumbai.
Last December, the 78th United Nations General Assembly unanimously passed a resolution, officially listing the Spring Festival as a UN holiday. This means The Spring Festival is now a festival for people all around the world. Spring Festival has its special customs, pasting spring couplets, paying New Year calls and reuniting with family for TUANYUAN(reunion) meals. All these customs embody the spiritual core of harmony and peace in Chinese culture. These are the common words of human being, I’m sure people can easily understand that, no matter which language he or she is speaking.
Let’s think about this: When people all around the world enjoy the family time and make best wishes together in the Spring Festival, our hearts should be connected with each other at this moment. Then in a way, the whole world is a big family.
I wish all our Chinese compatriots good health, smooth work, academic success and prosperous lives. I hope that our Indian friends understand more about China, explore more about China and find more opportunities in cooperation with China! Finally, I wish our great motherland peace and prosperity!
Thank you.