UN envoy: In 75 years, China has risen from sufferings to strength

"Diligence, innovation, opening-up and responsibility" was how China's envoy to the United Nations characterized the country's 75-year journey in nation-building and development.

More than 300 people, including officials of the UN Secretariat, permanent representatives of various countries to the UN, and guests gathered at the Permanent Mission of China to the UN on Tuesday night to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

"In just 75 years, the Chinese nation has risen from past sufferings to prosperity and strength. Such historic progress is created by none other than the hard-working Chinese people," said Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the UN.

"We have always put the people front and center and found a development path suited to our national conditions," he said. "The relentless efforts by the Chinese people have brought about two miracles of our times: one of rapid economic growth and one of enduring social stability."

Over the past 75 years, China has contributed more than 30 percent to global economic growth, which is driven by the Chinese people's commitment to innovation and high-quality development, Fu said.

"China has made continuous progress in lunar and deep space exploration, pushing the boundaries of humanity's reach well beyond planet Earth. In the meantime, here on our planet, facing the emergence of artificial intelligence, China is committed to its safe and inclusive development.

"We are also making unique contributions to the green transformation of the world economy with our new energy vehicles, batteries and PV (photovoltaic) industries," he said.

China has been consistently advancing Belt and Road Initiative cooperation and making good use of various platforms to facilitate trade and share development opportunities with the rest of the world, the ambassador said.

Among major developing countries and the world's top economies, China is the first to reduce tariffs to zero for all goods from least developed countries, Fu said.

"China's door to the outside world, once opened, will not be closed again. It can only be opened even wider," said Fu.

Facing a changing global landscape, China remains committed to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and actively participates in global governance and its reforms, said Fu, adding that China is taking on more responsibility.

"We uphold fairness and justice and play a constructive role in promoting political settlement of hot spot issues. We resolutely safeguard the common interests of developing countries and stand shoulder to shoulder with the Global South," he said.

Also, China is ready to come together with countries around the world under the UN flag to champion an equal and orderly multipolar world and to promote economic globalization to make it more inclusive and work for all, he said.

Philémon Yang, president of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, told reporters at the reception that China's development achievements serve as examples for developing countries. He said he looks forward to China continuing to deepen cooperation with developing countries.

United Nations High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations Miguel Ángel Moratinos Cuyaubé said that China has achieved remarkable success in various fields of development while playing a key role in maintaining world peace and stability.

He said he hopes to see China's continuing support of the UN and multilateralism and its cooperation on the Global Civilization Initiative.

Dima Al-Khatib, director of the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation, said China plays an "impactful" role in partnership with her office and also the China-Africa summit.

"This is a very promising collaboration that will help a lot of countries that are either least developed and landlocked … benefit from the expertise of China," she said.

mingmeili@chinadailyusa.com