Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

First of all, I would like to extend my congratulations on the publication of the Progress Report on China's Implementation of the UN Millennium Development Goals! As the very first report on progress that China has scored in implementing the Millennium Development Goals, it summarizes the achievements and experiences as well as problems and inadequacies in the process of China's implementation of the Millennium Development Goals from the UN perspective. Since China is in a crucial historical period of building a well-off society in an all-round manner at present, the publication of the report is undoubtedly of considerable realistic significance. I believe it will not only help relevant parties understand the current situation of China's economic and social development comprehensively and objectively but also give us an opportunity to enhance mutual understanding, share expertise and deepen cooperation on that basis.

Millennium Development Goals are the solemn commitments of heads of governments of different countries in the world. To realize them requires not only the unswerving efforts of all governments and their people, but also firm support from the international community. Of course, the role of the United Nations is vital and indispensable. I would like to avail myself of this opportunity to compliment the work undertaken by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and offices of other international organizations in China. In particular, I would like to thank Mr. Khalid Malik for his remarkable efforts in this respect. These agencies have made constructive contributions to the completion of the report by taking their respective advantages to collect information on China's implementation and keeping close contact with relevant departments in the Chinese government. I am convinced that the cooperation between China and the United Nations and relevant agencies will be more fruitful if we take the publication of the report as an opportunity to deepen our cooperation.

Millennium Development Goals are a whole set of comprehensive and quantitative overall objectives that are related to one another, which cannot be accomplished within a single day. The realization of the Millennium Development Goals will by no means be an easy task for a large developing country like China with vast territories, huge population, weak economic basis and serious regional development imbalances. Nevertheless, we have full confidence in realizing the goals by 2015. We are setting and implementing the philosophy of rational development in light of the national context of China so as to promote the comprehensive development of the economy, the society and the people. This is undoubtedly a strong driving force for the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals. We would like to share and learn from each other's lessons and experiences, explore effective measures and enhance international cooperation together with other countries so as to contribute our due part to the materialization of the Millennium Development Goals.

Thank you.