Distinguished Guests, Dear Friends,

Good morning. I would like to welcome all of you to the Mission of the People's Republic China to the European Union and welcome to Touching China.

We are very happy to have you with us today to celebrate the Spring Festival, or the Chinese New Year, which is coming within a few days. For the Chinese people, this festival is a most treasured national tradition. We anticipate growth and prosperity for the upcoming year. We cherish peace and harmony at family reunions. We highlight our culture and character in festive celebrations. For you, my dear friends, this is the best opportunity to join in for touching China, and get a dip in China's past, present and future, a glimpse of China's treasure, change and progress.

Many people know China as an ancient civilization, with a history of more than 5000 years. That is certainly true. But China is also a young country. We will celebrate the 60th birthday of the People's Republic in October this year and just one month ago, we commemorated the 30th anniversary of the launching of reform and opening-up policy. It is particularly in these decades that China has rapidly grown, transformed and merged with the outside world, as we follow a path of development in a class of our own.

Today, China enjoys fast economic growth, social stability, improved democracy and rule of law. Life of our people is getting better every day. As the country grows stronger, we are also willing and happy to make more contributions to world peace and development.

China set up diplomatic relations with the EU in 1975. Since then, we've witnessed ever-expanding contacts and cooperation of mutual benefit, which go hand in hand with deepening mutual understanding and friendship between the Chinese and European people.

China will stay on the road of peaceful development, remain committed to the opening up policy. We will develop mutually beneficial cooperation with other countries, and work together with Europe to promote our comprehensive and strategic partnership. In a word, the momentum of growth will remain strong, both for China itself and for China-EU relations.

Dear friends,

It takes more than one day to understand China, an ancient but also a young country. China's historical legacy, cultural diversity and modern vitality, make it a scroll to unfold and an epic to read. I hope that today could serve you a new starting point to get more acquainted and more involved with China. My colleague and I will, as always, work with you, to build between China and Europe a bridge of understanding and trust and a mansion of friendship and cooperation.

Enjoy the day and I wish you a happy new year. Thank you.