National Day reception in UK highlights 'golden era' ties

The Chinese embassy in the United Kingdom held a reception on Thursday to celebrate the 69th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, gathering together more than 600 British and Chinese officials, dignitaries and key practitioners of the China-UK "golden era" relationship.

China's ambassador to the UK Liu Xiaoming underscored the dramatic achievement of China's reform and opening-up as he praised Chinese people's unswerving determination and hard efforts to realize national development and rejuvenation after the founding of the PRC, especially during the 40 years of reform and opening-up.

"Thanks to the 40 years of persistent efforts," said the ambassador, China has gone from getting on its feet to becoming prosperous and strong. In this process, the relations between China and the rest of the world have also experienced historic and fundamental changes.

China's GDP has increased by a factor of 56, and the ambassador said "we have lifted more than 700 million people out of poverty, contributing to more than 70 percent of the world's total poverty reduction", underlining China's tremendous achievement in building a community with a shared future for mankind.

During the past 40 years, China's GDP has grown by an average of nearly 10 percent a year, making it the fastest-growing economy in the history of the world's major economies, and one that has contributed more than 30 percent of the world's economic growth for many years.

China's achievements are made possible through the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China, the development path that suits the country's national condition, and the hard efforts of the Chinese people.

"These achievements are not accomplished by stealing wealth or technology from any country," the ambassador noted.

Moreover, he said China will continue to embrace the world with open arms, safeguard world peace, contribute to global growth and uphold the international order.

China's continuing reform and opening-up can be translated into more growth opportunities and potential for the world through new momentum such as the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative.