Ambassador shares new year message of positivity

As Chinese New Year, which falls on Jan 29 this year, is approaching, the Chinese Embassy in the United Kingdom hosted a reception on Friday in London.

China's Ambassador to the UK Zheng Zeguang and his wife Counsellor Hua Mei extended warm new year greetings to more than 400 overseas Chinese representatives from political, business, cultural and academic sectors in the UK.

Zheng addressed guests during the event, highlighting China's achievements in social and economic development over the past year, the recent upward trend in Sino-British relations, and the vital role of overseas Chinese as bridges between China and the UK.

Zheng said China has achieved steady economic progress, with its GDP growing by 5 percent year-on-year in 2024, reaching over 130 trillion yuan ($17.95 trillion).

Progress has also been made in pursuing high-quality development and driving forward green transformation, Zheng said, marked by the production of over 10 million new energy vehicles in a single year for the first time.

In the face of a complex geopolitical landscape, China will continue to respond to turbulence with confidence, resilience, and practical actions, Zheng emphasized.

Major reforms will continue to be rolled out, Zheng said, as China will vigorously boost domestic consumption and demand, as well as further expand high-standard opening-up through fostering a market-oriented and law-based business environment, up to international standards.