On September 26, Ambassador Han Zhiqiang and his wife Wang Huan held a solemn reception in Bangkok to celebrate the 73rd anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. The reception was attended by more than 300 guests, including President of the National Assembly and Speaker of the House of Representatives Chuan Leekpai, First Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Suchart Tonjaroen, Second Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Supachai Phosu, First Vice-President of the Senate Singsuk Singpai, Privy Councillor Palakorn Suwanrath, Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Deputy Prime Minister Supattanapong Punmeechaow, Minister of Transport Saksayam Chidch, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Vijavat Isarabhakdi, Deputy Minister of Finance Santi Promphat, Deputy Chief of Defense Forces Suttipun Taithong, Deputy Chief of Defence Forces Supachok Tawatpeerachai, Commander-in-Chief of Royal Thai Army Narongpan Jittkaewtae, Commander-in-Chief of Royal Thai Air Force Napadej Dhupatemiya, former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajivalt, and other friends from the Thai political, military, business, overseas Chinese and media circles, UNESCAP Executive Secretary Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, foreign diplomatic envoys in Thailand, and representatives of Chinese institutions and overseas students.

Ambassador Han said in his speech that over the past two years and more, despite the lingering COVID-19 pandemic and the very unpeaceful world, China's development has been progressing stably. We have completed the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects on the vast land of China, solved the problem of absolute poverty historically, and ushered in a new journey of building a modern socialist country in all respects. We coordinated well pandemic prevention and control and economic and social development, and achieved positive results. Daunting as the task of pandemic prevention may be, China, a country with a population of 1.4 billion, managed to maintain the lowest COVID-19 infection rate and mortality rate in the world. China's economy grew by 2.3% in 2020, the only major economy in the world achieving positive growth. China's economy grew by 8.1% in 2021, one of the fastest growing countries in the world. Since the beginning of this year, in the face of a more complex and severe exterior environment, China has adhered to the underlying principle of seeking progress while maintaining stability, and adopted a series of macro-control measures. The fundamentals of its economic development have continued to maintain steady progress with a long-term upward momentum.

Ambassador Han stressed that last year, we solemnly celebrated the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC), comprehensively summed up the major achievements and historical experience in the past century, and further strengthened the determination and faith to follow the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics and peaceful development. In 20 days, the CPC will hold its 20th National Congress, which is a congress of great historical significance at a critical moment when China embarks on a new journey of building a modern socialist country in all respects. This congress will scientifically plan the goals and tasks, major lines and policies for the development of the CPC and the country in the next five years or even longer. Under the leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at the core, the Chinese people, full of confidence and in high spirits, are making unremitting efforts to realize the Chinese Dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Ambassador Han pointed out that 2022 marks the tenth anniversary of the establishment of China-Thailand comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership. China and Thailand are connected by mountains and rivers, culture and blood. In recent years, China and Thailand have constantly deepened political mutual trust, expanded mutually beneficial cooperation, and conducted close communication and coordination on major international and regional issues. In the face of the challenge of the pandemic, the peoples of the two countries have been helping each other and overcoming difficulties together, which demonstrates the kinship of China and Thailand as "one family" with practical actions.

China has been Thailand's largest trading partner for nine consecutive years, and has been Thailand's largest export market for agricultural products and a major source of foreign investment for many years. In 2021, bilateral trade volume exceeded the US$100 billion mark for the first time, with an increase of 33%, of which the export of agricultural products to China increased by 52.4%. At the same time, the industrial and technological cooperation between the two sides in the fields of connectivity, digital economy and green economy is in the ascendant. From January to August this year, the trade volume between the two countries has exceeded US$90 billion, maintaining a stable development momentum.

For more than two years, the two sides have maintained frequent high-level exchanges. King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun took the lead in sending a message of condolences to President Xi Jinping when COVID-19 occurred in China. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha spoke with President Xi Jinping by phone. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn went to China to attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics. State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi exchanged visits with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai. The two sides have agreed to build a China-Thailand Community with a Shared Future for enhanced stability, prosperity, and sustainability, giving a new era connotation to "China-Thailand as one family" and heralding a brighter future for China-Thailand friendly cooperation.

Ambassador Han said that the world is currently undergoing profound changes unseen in a century, with various problems and challenges emerging one after another, and global governance is facing new tests. In order to pool synergy to meet challenges, promote the recovery and sustainable development of the world economy, and solve the global security dilemma, President Xi Jinping, in face of the theme of peace and development of the era, has successively proposed the Global Development Initiative (GDI) and the Global Security Initiative (GSI), contributing Chinese wisdom and solutions to improving the global development and security governance system as well as eliminating human development deficits and peace deficits. China has always been and will continue to be a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development, and a defender of the international order.

Ambassador Han pointed out that in a short time, the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting will be held in Bangkok. We expect that under the auspices of the host Thailand, this meeting will focus on the Asia-Pacific, highlight cooperation, and play an important role in promoting the building of the Asia-Pacific Community. China will work with the international community, including Thailand, to promote the building of a new type of international relations featuring mutual respect, fairness and justice, and win-win cooperation, and make new contributions to building a community with a shared future for mankind.

Chuan Leekpai warmly congratulated the 73rd anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, saying that despite the impact of the COVID-19 on people's lives, this crisis has demonstrated the tenacity of China and the Chinese people in the face of difficulties. The Chinese people's sincere help to the Thai people has witnessed the beautiful friendship between China and Thailand, and the Thai people will always keep it in their hearts. Chuan Leekpai was interviewed by China Media Group and other media outlets at the scene, congratulated the 73rd anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, wished the Chinese people happiness, and the China-Thailand relationship everlasting. Chuan expressed his expectation for the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China to be held. He believes that China's system is mature and stable. Under the leadership of President Xi Jinping, China has created a miracle of sustained prosperity and development. President Xi, with his outstanding capability, is not only deeply loved by the Chinese people, but also recognized and trusted by the international community.

At the reception, Ambassador Han Zhiqiang and Chuan Leekpai and other guests cut the birthday cake for China's National Day. Ambassador Han Zhiqiang accompanied Chuan Leekpai and others to see the "Photo Exhibition Celebrating the 73rd Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China" prepared by the embassy.

At the reception, exquisite books and audio-visual products such as "Xi Jinping: The Governance of China", "China Review" and "A Journey though Chinese Culture" were prepared for the guests. Chinese and Thai artists jointly presented a wonderful cultural performance for the guests, which was a great attractionandwon praises from the audience. The guests expressed their congratulations on the 73rd birthday of the People's Republic of China, their admiration for the great achievements of China, and fully affirmed China's important contributions to promoting global peace, development and prosperity. They wished the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China a complete success, China and Thailand prosperous, and China-Thailand friendship ever-lasting.

At the reception, Ambassador Han also received a joint interview with Chinese and Thai media. More than 50 journalists from Thailand's Thairath, Matichon, Daily News, TNN, Channel 5, Nation TV and Thai PBS, and China’s Xinhua News Agency, People's Daily and China Media Group in Thailand actively reported the event.