Good evening! On behalf of the Chinese Consulate General in Kota Kinabalu,I would like to extend my warm welcome and sincere gratitude to all the guests, especially to the Head of Sabah State, Tuan Yang Terutama Tun, Yang Amat Berbahagia Toh Puan, Yang Amat Berhormat Datuk Seri Panglima Chief Minister, and Yang Amat Berbahagia Datin Seri for joining us tonight to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

Over the past 75 years, hundreds of millions of Chinese people forged ahead vigorously under the leadership of the Communist Party of China. We are unswervingly advancing the great cause of building a strong country to rejuvenate the Chinese nation through Chinese-style modernization. We have created a miracle of rapid economic growth with our hard work, and a miracle of lasting social stability with our unity. Especially, since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, we have ushered in a new era of socialism with Chinese characteristics. We have eradicated absolute poverty and completed the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects, thus achieving the First Centenary Goal. Now, we are marching in high spirits towards the goal of building a great modern socialist country in all respects.

2024 is an extraordinary year in the history of the People’s Republic of China. The 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China successfully held its third plenary session, which is a landmark event, as it made systematic planning for further deepening reform comprehensively to advance Chinese modernization. The plenary session laid out more than 300 important reform tasks, covering all aspects of Chinese modernization, all of which should be completed by 2029. Some people call it “the most ambitious reform plan” in the world. It has released a clear signal to further expand high-standard opening up, and has made it clear that we will continue to promote reform through opening-up, and develop a new system of an open economy at a higher level. We aim to make the pie bigger and the list of cooperation longer. The plenary session called for fostering new quality productive forces in line with local conditions. This includes developing new industries such as AI, aerospace and biomedicine, and also further integrating digital technology with the real economy. Currently, China has 463,000 high-tech companies, and owns over 4 million valid domestic invention patents. In the Global Innovation Index, China ranks top among the middle-income economies. I guess some of you have noticed that the Chinese video game “Black Myth: Wukong” has recently become a global hit. Within just one hour of its launch, its concurrent player count hit 1 million, and its collaboration merch quickly sold out. So you can see the huge consumption potential in the debut economy, and also the magic of integrating traditional Chinese culture with modern technology.

China’s journey of reform and opening-up will never stop. This means more opportunities for Sabah, Malaysia, and the global community.In the first half of this year, China’s GDP grew 5% year-over-year, outperforming many other major economies, which shows strong resilience of the Chinese economy. According to an IMF analysis, when China’s growth rate rises by 1 percentage point, growth in other economies will increase by around 0.3 percentage points. China will continue to be the top contributor to global growth over the next five years. China has the world's most complete industrial system, and the largest and the most promising market. China has become the key trading partner of more than 140 countries and regions, and the largest trading country in goods for seven consecutive years. On its path of Chinese modernization, China is bound to add more certainty to the world with its stability, and provide new opportunities to the world with its new development.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Malaysia and the Year of China-Malaysia Friendship, a significant year for our bilateral relations to build on past achievements and forge ahead into the future. Just a few days ago, Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with King of Malaysia Sultan Ibrahim in Beijing, who was in China for a state visit. President Xi Jinping pointed out that China is ready to work with Malaysia to carry forward fine traditions and be close neighbors of everlasting friendship, sincere partners in joint development, trusted friends with brotherly relations and an important force for peace. The two countries should deepen strategic cooperation in each other's modernization process and elevate the building of a China-Malaysia community with a shared future to a new level. In recent years, bilateral high-level exchanges have become increasingly frequent, which provide a solid foundation for strong mutual trust and deep friendship. China and Malaysia have always understood each other on issues of each other's core interests and major concerns. Both firmly support the other in safeguarding its national sovereignty, security and development rights, and the autonomy of choosing its own development path. China has been Malaysia’s largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years. Both countries are now enjoying the sweet fruits of high-quality co-construction of “Belt and Road” projects. Flagship projects such as the “Two Countries, Twin Parks” and the “East Coast Rail Link” (ECRL) have made solid progress. Chinese Premier Li Qiang’s visit to Malaysia in June has seen 14 cooperation documents signed and exchanged between the two governments, covering areas of digital economy, green development, science and technology, higher education etc. China will extend visa exemption to Malaysian citizens till the end of 2025 and Malaysia will do the same to Chinese citizens till the end of 2026.

Sabah plays an important role in the 21st Century "Maritime Silk Road" and in building a community with a shared future between China and Malaysia. In recent years, the leapfrog development in China-Malaysia relations has created favorable conditions for the friendly cooperation between China and Sabah-Labuan. Sabah's strategic location, picturesque scenery, rich resources, harmonious and stable society and exceptional Chinese cultural heritage have laid a good foundation for cooperation between China and Sabah-Labuan, which is bound to have broad prospects. In recent years, Sabah has carried out friendly exchanges with many provinces and cities in China. Officials at different levels from both sides have actively visited each other, seeking new opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation and invigorating exchanges across various sector. China has become Sabah's largest trading partner. More and more Chinese companies have come here for business development. Cooperation has expanded from tourism and infrastructure to high-end manufacturing and green energy. For instance, China Kibing Group plans to expand its investment in Sabah to develop its photovoltaic glass production base, which is expected to generate 5,000 local jobs upon completion. Sabah has become an “Internet Celebrity” of tourist destination for Chinese tourists. Nearly 280,000 Chinese tourists visited Sabah in the first seven months of this year, ranking the first among international visitors to Sabah.

The vigorous exchanges and cooperation between China and Sabah benefit from enthusiastic support and active participation from all sectors of Sabah society. I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Head of State Tuan Yang Terutama Tun, to the Chief Minister Yang Amat Berhormat Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji, the Sabah State Government, and all friends from various walks of life for their unwavering support. The Consulate General is ready to collaborate closely with the Sabah State Government and the broader community in Sabah and Labuan to implement the consensus reached by the leaders of our two countries and the significant achievements of Premier Li Qiang's visit to Malaysia. We will take the building of a China-Malaysia community with a shared future as a guide, deepen the exchanges and cooperation in various areas, foster mutual understanding and friendly relations between the peoples, continuously explore new opportunities for win-win cooperation, and inject fresh momentum into the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Malaysia to usher in another more glorious 50 years of bilateral relations.

Lastly, together, let us wish China and Malaysia prosperity and peace in the new era! Wish the people happiness and everlasting friendship!

I also wish the Head of State Tuan Yang Terutama Tun, the Chief Minister Yang Amat Berhormat Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji, and all our esteemed guests good health, happiness, and success in all your endeavors!

Thank you!