Dear Chinese students and scholars, members of the local Chinese community, dear friends,
Farewell to the year of the ox, and welcome to the new year of the tiger. It is my great pleasure to gather with you all online and welcome the arrival of the Chinese New Year of 2022. First of all, on behalf of the Chinese Embassy in Sweden, I’d like to extend my best wishes to all Chinese students in Sweden, members of the local Chinese community and all other friends tuning in online.
The year 2021 has been a milestone in the history of the Chinese nation. The Communist Party of China (CPC) marked its centenary, and the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee of the CPC adopted the Resolution on the Major Achievements and Historical Experience of the Party over the Past Century. With the CPC leading the Chinese people, China has successfully realized the First Centenary Goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, won the battle against poverty, and started a new journey in achieving the Second Centenary Goal of building China into a modern socialist country in all respects. In the past year, China has effectively responded to the pandemic and major challenges of the time. New steps have been taken in creating a new framework of development and new achievements have been made in high-quality development, with progress made in science, people's livelihood and ecological progress, modernization of national defense and the armed forces, and whole-process people's democracy. China continues to lead the world in economic development and COVID-19 containment, and the 14th Five-Year Plan has got off to a great start.
2021 also marks the 20th anniversary of China's accession to the World Trade Organization and 50th anniversary of the restoration of the PRC's lawful seat in the United Nations. China adheres to multilateralism, and contributes to global development and international order. Facing the the pandemic, we have been an active promoter and a committed front-runner in global anti-pandemic cooperation. We put forward a Global Development Initiative, which aims to accelerate meeting the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. We hold high the torch of multilateralism, advocate the common values of humanity, and resolutely support the international system with the United Nations at the core as well as the international order underpinned by international law. We have taken an active part in shaping global governance system on climate, the environment, health and digital development. We have expounded on the building of a community of life for mankind and nature, and a community of all life on Earth, offering China’s solutions and vitality to the reform of the global governance system. We have adhered to a people-centered approach, built a system on the protection of the interests of people overseas and on risk alert and prevention, protecting safety and lawful rights and interests of Chinese people and institutions overseas.
Sweden was the first Western country to establish diplomatic ties with the People’s Republic of China, and also the first country to sign a bilateral investment treaty with China since its reform and opening-up. China and Sweden are highly complementary. Our friendly exchanges and mutually beneficial cooperation have created tangible benefits for the two countries and peoples. In a world that faces changes unseen in a century, there is ever greater potential and room for China-Sweden exchanges and cooperation in areas of trade, innovation, education and culture. I believe, on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefits, and with the efforts and support by friends from all sectors, our two countries will work to turn the potential into reality, and create a better and more robust China-Sweden relationship that delivers more benefits for the two peoples.
Students, Scholars and Friends,
“Going abroad with only a suitcase” is a depiction of the history of Chinese students studying overseas for the great renewal of the Chinese nation. In modern times, generations of Chinese students studied abroad with the purpose of searching the ideal China. They studied abroad to save and strengthen our country. They go forward one after another and strive unremittingly. The Chinese overseas students made great contribution to the establishment and development of the CPC and to the consolidation and self-reliance of the new China. Since Reform and Opening-up and especially since Socialism with Chinese characteristics entered the new era, a new generation of Chinese overseas students have inherited and carried on the honorable tradition of “study and contribute to our country”. They contributed to “reinvigorating China through science and education and innovation” and to the development, progress, prosperity and strength of our motherland.
General Secretary Xi Jinping once pointed out “The future belongs to the youth”. As Chinese youth of the new era, you should take the task of the “Great Renewal of Chinese Nation” as your own. As Chinese youths of the new era, you are proud, strong and confident. You need to live up to the aspiration of the time and fulfill the great hope that the party and people put on you. In his 2022 New Year address, General Secretary Xi Jinping sent his special regards to our Chinese overseas students. He wants the students to keep the motherland in their mind and the world in sight, to study hard and to gain ability and knowledge. He wants our students to put our personal aspiration into the great undertaking of development of China and contribute with knowledge and efforts to building a modern socialist country and to the great renewal of the Chinese nation.
Students, overseas Chinese and Friends
At the moment, the pandemic has not ended and daily infection in Sweden is still increasing. I hope you will pay attention and protect yourself. Reduce physical socialization, keep social distance, avoid gathering, and avoid traveling unless necessary. Please remember you will always have the support of the motherland. My colleagues and I are with you and the Chinese Embassy will always be your home .
As the Year of Tiger is coming, I wish everyone health, progress in your study and a very happy New Year!