(September 29, 2016, Hualing Preference Hotel)

Honorable Prime Minister Kvirikashvili,

Your Excellences,

Ladies and Gentlemen, dear friends and my fellow citizens:

Welcome to the celebration of the 67th Anniversary of the Foundation of the People’s Republic of China.

67 years ago, under the leadership of the CPC, the Chinese people waged an arduous struggle, fought hard in bloody battles, defeated the Japanese fascist aggressors and domestic reactionaries. In 1949, Chairman Mao Zedong declared the foundation of the People’s Republic of China. During the first 30 years, the Chinese people gradually established industrial and national economic systems, which laid a solid foundation for China’s modernization. In 1978, Mr. Deng Xiaoping determined the basic national policy of reform and opening up, and China created “the Chinese miracle” in the history of economic development. Today, China stands at a new historical starting point. Under the leadership of CPC with Secretary General Xi Jinping at its core, the Chinese people are following the program of the 13th Five-Year Plan, that is to continue deepening the overall reforms, implement innovation-driven development strategy, promote green development and fair sharing, expand opening up, and strive for the realization of the "two 100-year" goals and the “Chinese dream” of great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Ladies and Gentlemen, dear friends:

The G20 Hangzhou Summit ended successfully 2 weeks ago. The leaders of G20 member countries and 8 guest countries, as well as the representatives of the international organizations, declared “G20 Leaders’ Communique Hangzhou Summit” and adopted 28 specific action documents, together forming the “Hangzhou Consensus”. China, as a responsible major power and with its wider, deeper and higher levels of participation in the global economic governance, is actively committed to contributing its concepts and wisdom to the global governance. China is willing to expand the point of interests with other countries, promote a new model of international relations based on mutual beneficial cooperation, and promote the formation of international community of common interests and shared future for mankind.

Ladies and Gentlemen, dear friends:

The friendship between China and Georgia has a long history. The ancient Silk Road closely linked our countries together. China sees Georgia as an important partner for the “one belt, one road” initiative in the South Caucasus region. During recent years, the relations between China and Georgia are developing rapidly. High level exchanges have become very active. H.E. Zhang Gaoli, member of the Standing Committee of the Central Political Bureau of the CPC and Vice-Premier of China, visited Georgia in this June. His Excellency reached comprehensive understanding with Georgian leaders regarding the deepening of “one belt, one road” cooperation, which provided a new and strong impetus for the development of bilateral relations. Nowadays, the free trade agreement negotiation between China and Georgia are about to conclude, and we look forward to signing the agreement. The Chinese companies have started fruitful cooperation in the areas of transportation, energy, communications, finance, processing, mining, agriculture, free industrial zones etc. China is one of the most important investors in Georgia and one of the largest importer of Georgian wine. In the future, China will continue to be Georgia’s reliable partner in the sphere of economy, trade, culture etc. Next year marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Georgia. And I believe, under the promotion of jointly building the “Silk Road economic belt”, the friendly cooperative relations between China and Georgia will usher in a brighter future.

I would like to propose a toast to the 67th anniversary of foundation of the People’s Republic of China, the prosperity of both China and Georgia, the friendship between our people and to the good health of our guests.

Cheers!