(22 January, 2020, Pula)
Respected President Fabrizio Radin,
Respected Mayor Boris Miletic
Respected Ms .Anita Šikić, Chief Editor University of Croatia Press,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Good Afternoon,
It gives me great pleasure to attend the new book presentation of Croatian version of Xi Jinping Tells Story. In two days, it will be the Chinese Lunar New Year which is also known as the Spring Festival. The Spring Festival is the most important traditional festival of the Chinese nation. It is a joyous time for family reunion and visiting relatives and friends. On this happy occasion of celebration, please allow me to extend on behalf of the Chinese embassy in Croatia, our best wishes to all the friends present here today and in Pula as well as in Croatia for a happy Chinese New Year and wish you all happiness and prosperity in the year of the Rat. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Croatian university press and other relevant institutions of China and Croatia for their important contributions to the translation and publication of this book.
Xi Jinping Tells Stories selected 109 stories from hundreds of talks and articles by Chinese President Xi Jinping, including the rich content of clean governance, character and morals, motivation, governance, people's friendship, national association, cultural accommodation and historical sensation, which substantially displayed President Xi's profound thought of internal affairs, diplomacy, national defence and governance of party, state and army and his new ideas, new thoughts and new strategies for governance. Each story in this book matches one "extended reading" to enrich the story details, restore the story context, and give readers a more comprehensive, three-dimensional and profound understanding of these stories, and a better comprehension of the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, reform and opening up, major-country diplomacy, peaceful development, self-cultivation and the profound history and culture of China.
Since the publication of the Croatian version of Xi Jinping Tells Story, it has been warmly welcomed by Croatian readers. Many Croatian friends told me that by studying this book, they can better understand the "code" of China's development and the institutional advantages behind China's achievements. I believe that at this important juncture of the 15th anniversary of the establishment of China-Croatia comprehensive cooperative partnership, the publication of the Croatian version of Xi Jinping Tells Story will further promote the mutual understanding and friendship between China and Croatia, and strengthen the ties between our two countries so as to bring more benefits to the Chinese people and the people of the world.
Ladies and gentlemen,
The Lunar new year is a time for us to review the past year and look forward to bright and prosperous future for the new year. Looking back at the year 2019, we solemnly celebrated the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. Over the past 70 years, under the leadership of the communist party of China, the Chinese people have pursued the path of independent and peaceful development and made remarkable achievements with people living standard greatly improved. Life expectancy in China has risen from 35 to 77. More than 700 million people have been lifted out of poverty, accounting for 70% of world poverty reduction. The nine-year compulsory education coverage has reached 93.8 percent. Medical insurance covers more than 1.3 billion people, and basic old-age insurance covers more than 900 million people. Despite the apparent slowdown in world economic growth, China's economy has shown great resilience, with GDP growth of 6.1 percent in 2019, one of the highest among major economies, and the average GDP reaches 10000 USD.
Over the past 70 years, China's development has not only benefited the Chinese people, but also contributed greatly to world peace and development. China has contributed 30% to the world economic growth for many years. China is committed to developing friendly relations with other countries on the basis of the five principles of peaceful coexistence and has become the major trading partner of more than 120 countries and regions so that our own development will bring more benefits to other countries and peoples. China will never seek to surpass or replace anyone in its development. China will never seek hegemony or engage in expansion, no matter in what stage we develop. China will always be a builder of world peace, contributor to global development and defender of the international order. We will work with the international community to build an open, inclusive, clean and beautiful world that enjoys lasting peace, universal security and common prosperity. We firmly believe that building a community of Shared future for mankind will make the world a better place.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Looking ahead, we are full of expectations and confidence. As President Xi Jinping has pointed out, "world prosperity and stability is an opportunity for China, and China's development is also an opportunity for the world." We look forward to working with Croatia to build consensus, enhance mutual trust, expand cooperation and jointly create an even better future for China-Croatia relations.
Finally, I wish this great event a complete success. Thank you!