On this jubilant occasion marking the 58th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and the 80th birthday of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of the Kingdom of Thailand, on behalf of the Chinese government and people, I would like to extend my warmest greetings and best wishes to His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen and to the government and people of Thailand.

In 2007, the Chinese people, united as one, are striving new steps forward on the road of building a socialist harmonious as well as moderately prosperous society in all respects, by adopting a scientific outlook on development as the guiding principle. China's economic development maintains stable and rapid momentum. During the first half of this year, China's gross domestic product achieves a growth rate of 11.5%, reaching 1410 billion US dollars. Foreign exchange reserve amounts to 1332 billion US dollars. Foreign trade volume reaches 980.9 billion US dollars, 23.3% higher than that of the same period last year. The whole-year foreign trade volume is expected to reach 2000 billion US dollars.

Major efforts have been made to strengthen macro-control measures, with the focus on optimizing economic structure, improving efficiency and profit as well as conserving energy and reducing pollution. The Chinese government is endeavoring to build a resource-conserving and environment-friendly society.

Modern agriculture is being developed in a comprehensive manner. Agriculture tax is abolished. A new socialist countryside is taking shape. Efforts are also made to deepen reform and opening-up, enhance capacity for independent innovation and promote balanced development among different regions.

The Chinese government attaches great importance to the improvement of people's livelihood by alleviating housing shortage problem of city dwellers with low income and introducing free compulsory education in rural areas, with the aim of building a socialist harmonious society. The causes of education, culture, health and sports are progressing vigorously.

The Chinese government always pays great attention to product quality and food safety. A system of quality standardization and a mechanism of quality supervision are established and improved to ensure that consumers have access to good products and safe food.

The preparation of 2008 Beijing Olympic Games is progressing steadily. Olympic venue construction, ticket selling and volunteer recruitment are in full swing. The international torch relay will cover 19 countries including Thailand. Chinese people are embracing with open arms friends from across the globe.

This October will witness the inauguration of the 17th Congress of the Chinese Communist Party in Beijing. This event will draw a grand blue-print for China's modernization drive, ushering in a brighter and more brilliant future for China.

While our modernization drive is pressing ahead, some obstacles emerge. Currently, the most serious challenge is the separatist moves by Taiwan's Chen Shuibian authorities in a reckless attempt to hold a so-called "referendum on Taiwan's membership to the UN" as well as "applying for UN membership in the name of Taiwan". As we all know, there is only one China. Taiwan and mainland belong to one China. The sovereignty and territorial integrity of China are in no way to be undermined. Chen Shuibian's separatist moves gravely sabotage cross-straits relations as well as peace and stability in the region, inciting strong opposition and condemnation from compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait and from the international community. The Chinese government highly appreciates the One-China policy firmly and consistently upheld by the Thai government, and stands ready to join with the international community, including Thailand, in voicing a clear message against Taiwan separatist elements, so as to maintain regional peace and stability.

China's development and progress constitute a positive factor in maintaining world peace. Under the banner of peace, development and cooperation, China unswervingly sticks to the road of peaceful development and the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, China will continue to pursue the foreign policy of being a good neighbor and a good partner to the neighboring countries. China hopes to live in harmony and conduct mutually-beneficial cooperation with all other countries in the world, so as to make new contribution to a harmonious world characterized by lasting peace and shared prosperity.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of ASEAN. We are very pleased to see that ASEAN has made a series of prominent achievements in promoting the economic growth of member states and the integration process as well as improving the overall strength and influence. In the meantime, ASEAN has made significant contribution to peace, stability, development and prosperity of the region. ASEAN is a good neighbor, friend and partner of China. The two sides have deepened and expanded cooperation in the fields of politics, economy and social culture and kept supporting each other and close coordination on international issues. The China-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement is progressing steadily, bringing tangible benefits to peoples of both sides. China will, as always, keep supporting the ASEAN integration process and the leading role of the ASEAN in regional cooperation and further pushing forward the strategic partnership with ASEAN.

This year marks the 32 anniversary of China-Thailand diplomatic relations. Thanks to unremitting efforts of both governments and peoples, China-Thailand relations always enjoy healthy and steady momentum. We trust each other in political issues, conduct mutually beneficial cooperation in trade and economy, and coordinate closely on international and regional affairs. Cooperation in culture, education, science and technology, military and people-to-people contact have borne abundant fruits. The two countries always treat each other with utmost sincerity, trust and support. China-Thailand relations, by withstanding changeable international situation, stand firmer and stronger, and set a perfect example of good neighborly relations between countries with different social systems. In recent years, bilateral trade witnesses remarkable progress. Last year the trade volume amounted to 27.7 billion US dollars. Thailand is China's 3rd largest trading partner in ASEAN countries. From January to July 2007, trade volume reached 18.69 billion US dollars, 26.2% higher over that of the same period last year. Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont paid a successful visit to China. The Joint Action Plan on China-Thailand Strategic Cooperation was signed, bringing the bilateral relations to a new height. HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn visited Tibet along the Qinghai-Tibetan railway. Focusing on this important visit, a pictorial book entitled A Visit along the Heavenly Road is soon to be launched in Thailand. HRH Princess Chulabhorn Walailak made a visit to Beijing and Shanghai to prepare for the China and Thailand: Two Lands One Heart concert. All of these efforts help to set up new bridges of friendship between our two countries.

China-Thailand friendly cooperation serves the fundamental interest and shared aspiration of the two peoples. The Chinese government will unswervingly pursue strategic cooperation with Thailand on the basis of equality and mutual benefit. It is our belief with the unremitting efforts from both sides, China-Thailand friendship will grow and prosper and last forever.

I sincerely wish China and Thailand prosperous, the two peoples enjoy good health and happiness.

 

Zhang Jiuhuan

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of

The People's Republic of China