Good evening.
It is my great honor to be here with you as we celebrate the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. As the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the Republic of Mauritius, I would like to extend my warmest welcome to all of you for your presence at today’s reception. I also wish to express my heartfelt appreciation to all friends who have over the years shown understanding and support for China and for the advancement of China-Mauritius relations.
Over the past 77 years, under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China, the Chinese people have forged ahead with determination, achieving remarkable development recognized worldwide. Through these endeavors, the Chinese people have transformed an impoverished nation where people struggled to meet basic living needs into the world’s second-largest economy having achieved moderate prosperity in all respects. China has created two miracles of rapid economic development and long-term social stability, bringing new opportunities to the world and making important contributions to global development.
This year marks the start of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan for economic and social development. China remains committed to pursuing high-quality development with the new development philosophy. Amid the complex and volatile internal and external environment, the Chinese economy has demonstrated great resilience and dynamism. In the first half of 2026, China’s GDP grew by 4.7 percent year on year, with the increase in economic output reaching its highest level for the same period in nearly five years. Innovation-driven development is gaining momentum, with new growth drivers, represented by high-end manufacturing, the digital economy and modern services contributing over 40 percent to economic expansion. Innovation achievements are emerging at a faster pace in such fields as quantum technology and integrated circuits, while emerging industries including new-energy vehicles, robotics and AI are flourishing. The green and low-carbon transition is also deepening. China’s economy is moving toward higher-quality and more sustainable growth, driving Chinese modernization and contributing to global economic growth.
China continues to promote high-standard opening up and actively share market, industrial and innovation opportunities with countries around the world. In the first half of 2026, China’s foreign trade in goods grew by 16.9 percent year on year, with imports up by 22.1 percent, outpacing exports by 8.7 percentages points. Foreign trade reached a new high, demonstrating the vitality of China’s enormous market. China has granted zero-tariff treatment to 63 countries, including Mauritius, and is using open platforms such as the China International Import Expo, the China Import and Export Fair and the China International Fair for Trade in Services to facilitate the entry of more high-quality goods and services into the Chinese market. China continues to promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, delivering tangible results in employment creation and poverty reduction in participating countries. China’s visa-free policies are making travel to China easier, and “China Travel” and “China Shopping” are becoming increasingly popular. At the same time, China is steadily expanding institutional opening up. The negative lists for foreign investment access keep shrinking, with all market access restrictions in the manufacturing sector removed. “Export to China,” “Shop in China” and “Invest in China” are mutually reinforcing. As China opens its door wider and wider, more and more opportunities are being shared to the world.
China has always practiced true multilateralism and actively promoted the building of a community with a shared future for humanity. At present, the international landscape is marked by intertwined transformation and turbulence, with new global challenges emerging one after another. In response to common challenges, President Xi Jinping has successively put forward the Global Development Initiative(GDI), the Global Security Initiative(GSI), the Global Civilization Initiative(GCI) and the Global Governance Initiative(GGI), addressing common concerns of humanity from the dimensions of development, security, civilization and governance, and contributing Chinese wisdom and Chinese solutions to addressing global challenges and improving global governance. China is also making its contribution by participating actively in the governance of emerging fields and global public affairs. China hosted the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference and proposed the establishment of a World AI Cooperation Organization, with a view to build a just and equitable system for global AI governance. China is also actively participating in global ocean governance and has bid to host the Secretariat of the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction, known as the BBNJ Agreement in the City of Xiamen. With its favorable geographical location, ecological environment, openness and infrastructure, Xiamen is well positioned to provide a strong platform for international cooperation on the oceans. China looks forward to the support of all States Parties, including Mauritius, for Xiamen to host the Secretariat, and stands ready to work with Mauritius to protect marine ecosystems and strengthen global ocean governance.
China is committed to developing a new type of major-country relations and safeguarding world peace and development through multilateral and regional cooperation. Not long ago, President Xi Jinping traveled to New Delhi, India, to attend the 18th BRICS Summit and held meetings with leaders of BRICS countries, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi. China stands ready to work with all parties to write a new chapter of solidarity and self-reliance for the Global South. A few days ago, the Chinese and U.S. heads of state held their second meeting of the year. The two sides agree to build a constructive China-U.S. relationship of strategic stability on the basis of respect, fairness, and reciprocity. In November this year, the 33rd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting will be held in Shenzhen, China. China will take this opportunity to inject fresh impetus into peace, stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region.
Standing at the new starting point of the 15th Five-Year Plan, China will continue to advance the implementation of the Four Global Initiatives and work with all countries to build a community with a shared future for humanity, bringing greater stability, certainty and positive energy to world peace and development.
Ladies and Gentlemen, dear friends,
This year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and African countries. Over the past 70 years, despite profound changes in the international landscape, China and Africa have always stood together and moved forward hand in hand, making China-Africa cooperation a fine example of solidarity and cooperation among developing countries. In 2024, the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) elevated China-Africa relations to an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era. Over the past two years, China and Africa have actively implemented the outcomes of the Summit, deepening cooperation in trade and investment, agriculture, infrastructure, health, people-to-people exchanges and green development under the “Six Modernizations” and the “Ten Partnership Actions.” China-Africa cooperation has flourished, and our peoples are writing a new chapter of mutual understanding and friendship in the new era.
The friendship between China and Mauritius is a vivid example of China-Africa solidarity. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations 54 years ago, our two countries have continuously consolidated political mutual trust and maintained healthy development of bilateral relations. The Chinese side sincerely appreciates Mauritius for adhering to the one-China principle and will continue to support the just stance of Mauritius on sovereignty and territorial integrity with regard to Chagos. In 2024 during the Beijing Summit, our two countries elevated bilateral relations to the level of strategic partnership, giving new impetus to China-Mauritius relations.
Economic and trade cooperation between our two countries has grown steadily. China and Mauritius signed the first and, to date, only free trade agreement between China and an African country. In the five years since it took effect, bilateral trade has exceeded US$1 billion for five consecutive years. China stands ready to work with Mauritius to tap the full potential of the FTA and further expand the benefits of our economic and trade cooperation. In the first half of this year, China’s zero-tariff policy for African countries continued to deliver tangible results. Mauritius's exports to China surged by 127.6% year on year, already surpassing the total value for the previous year. Notably, exports of sugar products skyrocketed by 1,497.1%. China's supersized market is offering Mauritius broader opportunities to expand its exports to the country.
The electric buses provided by China are now in service, and the Battery Energy Storage System project has made steady progress, adding new momentum to Mauritius’ green transition. China and Mauritius have also signed an MoU on health cooperation, further deepening cooperation in healthcare. The China-aided MBC building project is making good progress as well. Human resources capacity-building cooperation is also expanding. China has provided training for Mauritian officials and technical personnel in areas such as blue economy and fisheries, disaster prevention and reduction, digitalization, renewable energy management and emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, helping Mauritius develop more skilled professionals for its economic and social development.
People-to-people exchanges between our two countries are equally close and vibrant. This year marks the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges. In the first nine months of this year, the Chinese Embassy and China Cultural Centre in Mauritius have organized series of activities covering exchanges of ideas, mutual learning between civilizations, practical cooperation and youth exchanges, attracting broad participation from people across Mauritius. Signature events such as Happy Chinese New Year, the Dragon Boat Festival and “Tea for Harmony Yaji Cultural Salon” have continued to grow in reach and impact. 23 Mauritian young people won awards in the 2026 “Colorful World” China-Africa Youth Painting Exhibition themed “Building the Dream of China-Africa Modernization Together.” Through their paintings filled with imagination, they portrayed the friendship between China and Mauritius, offering a vivid reflection of the close bond between our peoples.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Next year will mark the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Mauritius. At this new starting point, China stands ready to work with Mauritius to carry forward our traditional friendship, deepen our strategic partnership, and align China’s 15th Five-Year Plan with Mauritius’ Vision 2050. Together, we can advance modernization and turn our development opportunities into greater benefits for our peoples. We look forward to Mauritius’ participation in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and its support for the Four Global Initiatives, to better safeguard the common interests of developing countries, and jointly build a better world. Let us work together to advance the China-Mauritius strategic partnership to new heights and deliver greater outcomes, creating an even brighter future for the people of our two countries!
Thank you again for coming. I wish you a pleasant evening.