Since the founding of New China in 1949, the Chinese people became their own masters and began the socialist construction. Twenty-eight years ago, the Chinese people embarked upon the historic drive of reform, opening-up and modernization and have made steady economic growth and phenomenal progress through unremitting efforts. Between 1978 and 2005, China's GDP grew from US$147.3 billion to US$2.2257 trillion. Its import and export volume went up from US$20.6 billion to US$1.4221 trillion, and its foreign exchange reserve soared from US$167 million to US$818.9 billion. During this period, the number of its poor rural population dropped from 250 million to 23 million.

Meanwhile, we are fully aware that despite the success in its development, China remains the world's largest developing country with per capita GDP US$1700 ranking behind the 100th place. The Chinese people are yet to live a well-off life, and China still faces daunting challenges in its development endeavor, such as underdeveloped productivity, disparity of economic growth in different places, imbalance between environmental protection and eco-social development. Therefore, it requires sustained and unremitting efforts to transform the country and make life better for its people. In the next fifteen years, we will strive to make new progress in building a moderately prosperous society in an all-round way .We aim to raise China's GDP to US$4 trillion by 2020, averaging US$3,000 per person. To realize these goals, China has adopted a new concept of development in line with its national conditions and the requirement of the times. That is, to pursue a scientific outlook on development that makes economic and social development people-oriented, comprehensive, balanced and sustainable. We will work to strike a proper balance between urban and rural development, development among regions, economic and social development, development of man and nature, and domestic development and opening wider to the outside world.

China has always cherished peace and harmony. In foreign relations, the Chinese have always believed that “the strong should not oppress the weak, and the rich should not bully the poor” and advocated that, "all nations live side by side in perfect harmony". China holds high the banner of peace, development and cooperation. It pursues an independent foreign policy of peace and commits itself firmly to peaceful development. It seeks to accelerate its development by upholding world peace. The world peace is, in turn, enhanced by China's development. China firmly pursues a strategy of opening-up for mutual benefit and win-win outcomes. It genuinely wishes to enter into extensive cooperation with other countries. China is an Asian country. China's development requires a long-term stable international environment, especially a stable neighboring environment. China's development will certainly contribute to the prosperity of Asia. To the neighboring countries China firmly observes the guideline of “being a good neighbor and partner” and the policy of “fostering an amiable, peaceful and prosperous neighborhood”, and work with other peoples in the region to create and enjoy profound friendship, mutual beneficial cooperation and common prosperity.

South Asia is an important region in Asia and the world at large. South Asia boasts of a large population, vast territory and rich resources. China and South Asian countries are both neighbors and developing countries. It is our common wish to seek peace, strive for stability and promote development. It is the unswerving policy of the Chinese government to strengthen good-neighborly relations with the countries in South Asia and to carry out mutually beneficial cooperation. The 13th SAARC Summit held in Dhaka last November decided to accord observer status to China. I firmly believe that the establishment of relationship between China and SAARC will substantially contribute to a wider range cooperation for a win-win result between China and South Asian countries.

As many friends know that I have served in Bangladesh in different period of time. Therefore, I could have observed the change and development of the friendly relations between China and Bangladesh. The friendship between China and Bangladesh has deeply rooted and stood a severe test. In last 31 years of diplomatic relations, we have gained fruitful and genuine cooperation of mutual benefit in all fields of politics, economy, culture, social development, etc. with the joint efforts of our two governments and peoples. The bilateral trade volume in 2005 amounted to about US$2.5 billion with an increase of 26% over the previous year. Interaction of all levels continues to expand and intensify, especially after the direct air-link between our two countries was set up in May last year. We share basically identical views on most international and regional issues and conduct close coordination with each other in the international arena. The two countries have established a Comprehensive Partnership of Cooperation featuring long-term friendship, equality and mutual benefit. Consolidating and further developing traditional Sino-Bangladesh friendly relations and exploring new area of cooperation is the set policy of the Chinese government. I am confident that with our concerted endeavor the existing friendly relations and cooperation between our two countries will as always be able to stand the test of changeable international situation and be further strengthened and developed in the coming days. I sincerely hope that the people of China and Bangladesh will together enjoy economic development, social progress and common prosperity.