Your Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Thank you all for joining us today on the occasion of 59th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

This is an occasion that we mark every year here, but this year, it’s special. Why special?

First, 2008 is a year China met so many challenges. In the first half of the year, extreme weather conditions of sleet and snowstorms struck southern China, followed by a strongest and devastating earthquake in Sichuan. In the face of these natural disasters, the Chinese people rallied together, overcame all kinds of difficulties and secured major victories in the rescue and relief efforts. The outpouring of sympathies and generous relief supplies from all-over the world including Afghanistan greatly encouraged Chinese people.

Second, China hosted the high-standard Olympic Games with a successful end weeks ago. Beijing Olympic games and Paralympic games gave a strong boost to the further development of sports in China, promoted more extensive exchanges and cooperation between China and the International Olympic Family, and further enhanced the mutual understanding and friendship between the Chinese people and people of all other countries.

The Afghanistan Olympians made a historic breakthrough in Beijing by winning a bronze medal. The Chinese people share the joy of the Afghan people and wish Afghan athletes even greater success in the future.

Third, China successfully launched its third manned spacecraft three days ago with three astronauts on board, and had the country’s first-ever space walk yesterday. The Shenzhou VII mission marks a historic breakthrough in China's manned space program, another great feat in China's progress in the world of science and technology, and a big step for China to make peaceful use of space in its exploration and development.

Fourth, this year marks the 30th anniversary of China's reform and opening up. Thirty years on, China has successfully completed the monumental transition from a highly centralized planned economy to a socialist market economy and from a closed or semi-closed society to one that fully embraces the world.

In the past 30 years, China has enjoyed fast and sustained economic growth. Between 1978 and 2007, our economy grew at an average annual rate of 9.88% and the GDP rose from the tenth to the fourth place in the world. The Chinese people, who once lacked adequate food and clothing, now enjoy a moderately prosperous life, with per capita income increasing almost six-fold during this period. And China has made all-round progress in social and cultural development and in advancing democracy and the rule of law.

As China is increasingly linked with the rest of the world, its economy has become an important part of the global economy. In 2007, China contributed more than 10% to the world economic growth. Its imports and exports totaled 2.17 trillion US dollars, paid-in overseas investment 74.8 billion US dollars, and outbound direct investment 18.7 billion US dollars. All these are among the highest figures in the developing world.

Despite these remarkable achievements, we are soberly aware of the challenges we face. China is a developing country with a large population and a weak economic foundation. Our per capita GDP is only a little over 2,500 US dollars, lagging behind more than 100 countries in the world. We have a long way to go.

Fifth, remarkable advances made in cooperation between China and Afghanistan. I like to mention two: one is that the treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Good-neighborly Relations between China and Afghanistan came into force after exchange of instrument of ratification. Two sides will work together to actively implement the Treaty.

Another big advance is that Chinese company won the Aynak Copper Mine bid and will invest about 10 billion US dollars in the mine and related projects. I’m sure that this project will be a new milestone in our economic cooperation and enrich our comprehensive and cooperative partnership. China attaches great importance to, and takes an active part, in Afghanistan's reconstruction, We're willing to support continuously within our capability.

China-Afghanistan relations will have an even better future, let us work hand in hand and write a new chapter in the annals of China-Afghanistan friendship and cooperation.

Thank you.