Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Friends,

It’s my great honor to have all of you here tonight for the celebration of the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. On behalf of the Chinese Embassy in Slovenia, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to friends from all sectors who have long supported China’s development and valued the friendship between China and Slovenia. I would also like to convey festive greetings to our Chinese compatriots working, studying and living in Slovenia.

Over the past 77 years, the Communist Party of China has united and led the Chinese people in forging ahead with persistent efforts.China has created two miracles of rapid economic development and long-term social stability. Today, China is making every effort to ensure the happiness and well-being of its people while contributing greater benefits and more positive energy to the world.

China acts as an anchor of stability for global economy. In the first half of 2026, China’s GDP grew by 4.7%. With new growth drivers emerging and the economic structure improving, China’s economy has shown robust resilience and vitality. Amid headwinds against economic globalization, we have consistently upheld broader opening-up and implemented zero-tariff treatment for 63 countries. China’s progress is energizing global development. We offer “China Opportunity 2.0(two point zero)” and serve as a source of certainty and stability for the world.

China acts as a defender of world peace. We’re the second-largest financial contributor to UN peacekeeping operations and the largest contributor of peacekeeping troops among the permanent members of the UN Security Council. We actively promoted peace talks on hotspot issues, including the Ukraine crisis, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and the Iran situation. In May this year, China took the lead in initiating the International Organization for Mediation (IOM), making a fresh and positive contribution to global peace and stability.

China is committed to concrete actions in reforming global governance.Amid changes unseen in a century, we have worked to build broad consensus in a spirit of solidarity and to unite strength for development in a vision of harmony and coexistence, advances the building of a community with a shared future for humanity. China proposes “Belt and Road Initiative” and gained fruitful outcomes. China initiates to build the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO), promoting AI development for the positive and for good. In June this year, the Chinese government released a white paper on global governance, elaborating on its five core concepts: sovereign equality, international rule of law, multilateralism, a people-centered approach, and real action. By matching words with movements, China is fulfilling its responsibilities as a major country and offering Chinese solutions to the challenges of global governance.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Friends,

The Slovenian poet, France Prešeren, wrote in A Toast: “No more shall foes, but neighbours be!” Nowadays, changes unseen in a century are accelerating globally. Regional conflicts drag on, while hegemonism, unilateralism and protectionism are rising. In this context, it is more crucial than ever for China and Slovenia to join hands as partners in safeguarding peace and advancing cooperation. This serves our common interests.

2027 will mark the 35th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between China and Slovenia. As Chinese sage Confucius observed, “One should be able to establish himself at the age of thirty”. After more than three decades of development, China-Slovenia relations have grown ever more mature and stable. Under the strategic guidance of our two heads of state, China stands ready to work with Slovenia to further consolidate political mutual trust, expand mutually beneficial cooperation and enhance people-to-people exchanges, so that the growth of bilateral relations can better deliver benefits to our two peoples.

Let’s share development opportunities through practical cooperation.To make full use of platforms and channels such as the China-Central and Eastern European Countries (CEEC) cooperation framework, the China International Import Expo (CIIE), the exchange of economic and commercial delegations, and so on. These help to facilitate Slovenian enterprises explore China’s market. Let’s work together to promote more balanced trade growth, deepen two-way investment cooperation, and provide better products and services for our two peoples.

Let’s expand new avenues for innovation through close collaboration, by focusing on competitive industries, such as advanced manufacturing amid bio-pharmaceuticals; by pursuing technological and project cooperation in fields of green economy, digital economy and artificial intelligence (AI). These efforts will inject new momentum into our bilateral economic and trade relations.

Let’s foster friendship between our peoples through multi-level exchanges.There will be various cultural events to advance exchanges and mutual learning between our civilizations. We hope to see more sister-city partnerships, more cooperation and reciprocal visits between educational institutions, and more in-depth exchanges between young people from both countries. We warmly welcome our Slovenian friends to take full advantage of China’s visa-free policy and discover a China that is real, vibrant and multi-dimensional.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Friends,

Tomorrow is the Mid-Autumn Festival, a traditional Chinese holiday. Every year, on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, the full moon brings families and friends together. Chinese compatriots in Slovenia have settled down and built their careers here. Slovenia is their second home! As a Chinese poem reads, “Green hills bathe in the same cloud and rain. The same moon lights up towns however far away.” I wish all our fellow compatriots a happy festival and a joyful, fulfilling reunion with family and friends.

Ladies and gentlemen,

May I invite you all to join me in a toast,

To the prosperity of China and Slovenia,

To the enduring friendship between our two countries,

To the happiness and well-being of our two peoples,

Cheers!