Distinguished guests,

Dear friends,

Good evening!

It gives me great pleasure to be here with you all to celebrate the Spring Festival for the Year of the Dragon. The Spring Festival is the most important traditional festival in China, symbolizing the beginning of a new year and revival of everything. It has become a common festival in many countries and has been listed as UN floating holiday. In traditional Chinese culture, the dragon represents auspiciousness, wisdom and strength. On the joyous occasion of the Spring Festival for the Year of the Dragon, on behalf of the Chinese Embassy in Sweden, I would like to wish a happy New Year to all guests, all overseas Chinese in Sweden, members from Chinese companies and institutions, Chinese students in Sweden and Swedish friends from all walks of life!

Distinguished guests, dear friends,

Last year has witnessed quite a lot major and happy events in China and recorded many glorious and moving scenes.

First, all-round economic and social development has been achieved. In 2023, solid gains have been made in China’s pursuit of high-quality development with China’s economy picking up. The annual GDP reached 126 trillion RMB with a year-on-year growth of 5.2%, injecting strong impetus into global economic development. Per capita disposable income of residents increased by 6.1% over the previous year, and consumer demand grew rapidly. The employment situation has been stable overall with surveyed unemployment rate in urban areas declining. Total installed capacity of renewable energy rose to more than 50% of China’s total installed power generation capacity. China has become cleaner and more beautiful. People’s well-being in areas of education, medical care and elderly care has been significantly improved, and people’s sense of fulfillment, happiness, and security has continued to increase.

Second, breakthroughs have been made in scientific and technological innovation. In 2023, China’s new productive forces have been fostered at a faster pace. A number of high-end, intelligent and green new pillar industries have been rising rapidly. China’s modern industrial system has become more sound. China’s first domestically made large aircraft entered commercial service. The cruise liner built in China completed its trial voyage. The Shenzhou manned spacecraft has carried out a space relay. The manned submersible Fendouzhe (Striver) has further pushed the boundaries of manned deep-sea exploration. The world’s first fourth-generation nuclear power plant started commercial operation and a quantum computer prototype has been successfully developed. Products “smartly made in China” such as the latest models of mobile phones and new energy vehicles have enjoyed great popularity.

Third, international cooperation has yielded fruitful results. The year 2023 saw many highlights in carrying forward major country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics and solid progress in building a community with a shared future for mankind. The Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation was successfully held, ushering Belt and Road cooperation into a new stage of high-quality development. We have actively built various platforms for boosting high-level opening-up and successfully held the China International Import Expo, the China International Consumer Products Expo, China International Fair for Trade in Services, the Canton Fair and other important exhibitions, improved protection of foreign investment and intellectual property rights in an all-round way, facilitated people-to-people exchanges between China and other countries, and shared China’s development opportunities with the world. We have vigorously promoted the implementation of the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, and Global Civilization Initiative, and contributed Chinese wisdom and solutions to global governance.

China’s new development has brought new opportunities to the world. In 2024, we will strive ahead in full confidence and advance in building a strong  country and realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization. We will join hands with other countries to meet challenges, achieve common prosperity and make greater contribution to global peace and development!

Distinguished guests, dear friends,

In the past year, China-Sweden relations have enjoyed stable development with exchanges in various fields resuming in an orderly manner, and the potential of practical cooperation has been further unleashed. Economic and trade cooperation has continued to advance. Major projects have made steady progress. New energy cooperation has enjoyed strong momentum. Scientific, technological and educational exchanges have been bursting with vitality. Cooperation in green, low-carbon, medicine and health, sustainable development and other fields has deepened and made concrete progress. The number of Chinese students in Sweden has returned to pre-pandemic level. Cultural exchanges have been brilliant and colorful. Many cultural events hosted by the Chinese side in Sweden have been warmly received. With a long history of people-to-people exchanges, our traditional friendship has continued to develop with touching stories of mutual assistance emerging one after another.

Over the past year, I have had extensive contacts with Swedish friends from all circles and visited dozens of counties, cities and institutions. I have felt the eagerness of different people of vision for exchanges with China, huge potential of bilateral cooperation and the friendliness of the Swedish people. China and Sweden have no geopolitical conflicts or historical grudges, but traditional friendly relations, highly complementary industries and broad prospects for cooperation. In the new year, the Chinese side is willing to share development opportunities with Sweden and enhance bilateral exchanges and cooperation, and to bring more benefits to the two countries and peoples.

Distinguished guests, dear friends,

Over the past year, overseas Chinese in Sweden have taken root, worked hard and made achievements in their respective areas, playing a positive role in promoting friendly cooperation between China and Sweden. I wish to pay my sincere tribute to all of you.

This year is the Year of the Dragon. As descendants of the Dragon living in Sweden, I hope you will further strengthen solidarity and cooperation, integrate into and give back to the local society, play a better role as the bridge linking China and Sweden and promoting diversification and harmony, be an envoy of China-Sweden people-to-people exchanges, and continuously promote mutual understanding, friendship, mutual trust and mutual benefit between the two peoples.

Distinguished guests, dear friends,

I would like to give special thanks to the China National Opera and Dance Drama Theater. They have travelled from afar to Stockholm to present a cultural feast combining Chinese characteristics and European style to us. They have also brought festive greetings from the motherland to overseas Chinese in Sweden and best wishes from the Chinese people to the Swedish people.

In conclusion, I wish China and Sweden can continue to enjoy more splendid landscapes, continued prosperity and peace! I wish China-Sweden relations stability, progress and flourishment! I wish you all a harmonious, smooth and auspicious Year of the Dragon! I wish everyone’s work and life in 2024 will bloom and shine just like the Chinese zodiac lanterns on display tonight!

Thank you!