-- Remarks Made by Ambassador Ma Xinmin at the 2020 Chinese New Year Gathering with Chinese People in Sudan
(at 14:00 in the Friendship Hall on January 17, 2020)
My fellow Chinese,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Dear friends,
Good afternoon! It gives me great pleasure to have you here in the Friendship Hall, a symbol of China-Sudan friendship, to celebrate the Chinese New Year. In Chinese culture, today is a day of reunion called "Xiao Nian", a festival on the 23rd of the 12th month of the lunar year when sacrifices are made to the kitchen god. It signals the end of the old year and a prelude to the Lunar New Year' eve. As the Chinese New Year of the Rat will come in eight days, at this happy moment of ringing out the old year and ringing in the new, I would like to wish you and your family a healthy, happy and prosperous year in advance! China-Sudan relations cannot develop without your great efforts and contribution, and the Chinese Embassy in Sudan can hardly do without your support and cooperation. On behalf of all colleagues of the Chinese Embassy in Sudan, I would like to express my most sincere thanks to all of you here! Also, I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation to the host, co-organizers and sponsors of this Chinese New Year gathering and the whole cast for their hard work and selfless contribution.
The year 2019 marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. Success only comes through hard work. During the past eventful 70 years, generations of Chinese people have left stirring epics with their dedication and hard work, successfully transforming China from a nation suffering from war and chaos into a magnificent country. In 2019, thanks to new vigor for development continuously generated by reform and opening-up, China made steady progress in high-quality development and achieved significant breakthroughs in three tough battles. We were inspired by the glorious achievements over the past seven decades and were overwhelmed by the sheer force of patriotism. Continuing to open its arms wide to embrace the world, China hosted the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, the International Horticultural Exhibition, the Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations, and the second China International Import Expo, showcasing a civilized, open and inclusive China to the rest of the world. All these demonstrate more brilliant Chinese splendor, unleash more powerful and tremendous Chinese strength and create more mature and confident Chinese characteristics.
The year 2019 also marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Sudan. Although Sudan went through major changes unseen in three decades last year, China-Sudan friendship has withstood the wind and rain and witnessed a smooth transition, with the key features of "sincere friendship, mutual respect, equity, mutual benefit, and common development" unchanged. Over the past 60 years, China and Sudan have always adhered to equality and mutual trust and jointly met the challenges of the times; always adhered to pragmatic cooperation and shared the fruits of development; always adhered to cultural and people-to-people exchanges; and always adhered to mutual assistance and jointly consolidated the traditional friendship. The 60-year history of China-Sudan diplomatic ties witnessed "ten landmark events" regarding China-Sudan cooperation. First, in 1971, China started to assist Sudan in nurturing acrobats. Second, in 1971, China started to dispatch medical teams to Sudan. Third, in 1972, China provided assistance in building the Friendship Hall. Fourth, in 1995, China and Sudan began their oil cooperation. Fifth, in 1998, China and Sudan began their cooperation in the pharmaceutical sector, including production of antimalarials. Sixth, China contracted to build the Merowe Dam in 2003, the Roseires Dam in 2008 and the Upper Atbara Dam in 2012. Seventh, in 2012, China and Sudan established the agricultural cooperation development zone. Eighth, in 2015, China and Sudan established the strategic partnership. Ninth, in 2017, China and Sudan signed the memorandum of understanding for the "Belt and Road" initiative. Last but not least, in 2019, China launched Sudan's first ever manned satellite.
My fellow Chinese,
Dear friends,
The year 2020 will be a key milestone in the course of China's national rejuvenation. We will achieve the first century goal of eliminating absolute poverty and realizing a moderately prosperous society in all aspects. This is a result of great perseverance and protracted struggle of Chinese people and also an inspiration to all Chinese people to embark on a new journey, embodying the long-expected aspiration of the Chinese nation. The remarks made by President Xi Jinping in his 2020 New Year speech to "push forward the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, and make unremitting efforts for the creation of a beautiful future" again demonstrate China's inclusiveness and open mind. In the time to come, China will open up to the world with greater inclusiveness, open its arms wider to embrace the world, and contribute the dynamic achievements of Chinese civilization to a better world.
The year 2020 is the first year following the major changes Sudan has undergone. Although the first step is always the hardest, China has always believed in the Sudanese people's wisdom and ability to handle their own affairs well, and looks forward to a peaceful, stable, growing and prosperous Sudan. In this important year, China is ready to work with Sudan to explore new opportunities for cooperation in various fields, under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative and the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum, to realize win-win results. We should turn pressure into impetus and keep moving the bilateral partnership forward on the right track, in a bid to pass on the torch of friendship from generation to generation, sustain development and make cooperation flourish and thus jointly create a brighter future for China and Sudan.
Ringing out the Year of the Pig and ringing in the new Year of the Rat, everything will take on a new look. The bugle has sounded. We will surely forge ahead steadily towards the realization of our dreams in 2020.
In conclusion, may great China a prosperous future and Chinese people a happy and healthy life! May the friendship between China and Sudan be flourishing and ever-lasting! And wish you all the very best and a very happy Chinese New Year!
Thank you very much!