Beijing, 24 July 2015
Dear Colleagues,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Let me begin by extending congratulations on the official release of the Report on China's Implementation of the Millennium Development Goals.
The product of close cooperation between the Chinese Foreign Ministry and the United Nations System in China, this is not just another report. It showcases China's unremitting efforts to implement the MDGs; it records China's journey over the past 15 years, complete with a review of experience; and it reflects China's aspiration for a better future. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the authors of this report and all those who have stayed committed to China's development.
The formulation of the MDGs at the turn of the century brought progress and hope to hundreds of millions of people in poverty. To reject conflict, backwardness and confrontation in favor of peace, development and cooperation has become a strong consensus of the international community in implementing the MDGs and a defining feature of the new century.
The world today is not tranquil. Local turbulences and conflicts are emerging now and then; global economic recovery remains a daunting task; and various new challenges keep cropping up. Only through development can we address the myriad problems confronting our world and meet the simple yet ardent aspiration of our people. The development cause of mankind must keep moving forward, rather than go backward.
This year is the Year of Development. At the UN summit for the adoption of the post-2015 development agenda to be held in September, a blueprint will be drawn up for international development in the next 15 years. We hope that the summit will renew global commitment to development, yield ambitious and tangible results, and forge a future-oriented partnership, so that more developing countries can enjoy a promising future, become part of the major force for global economic growth, and benefit from global development.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Over the past 15 years, China, a major responsible developing country, has honored its commitment with a strong determination and made notable achievements in poverty reduction, public health and education, to name just a few. Meanwhile, China has done whatever it can to help other developing countries to attain the MDGs.
Looking ahead, China will tackle difficulties and challenges head-on, step up to its development responsibilities and obligations, and pursue the Chinese dream of great national renewal. Many may wonder what kind of path China will take in implementing the post-2015 development agenda. Let me share with you some of my thoughts.
China will follow a path of peaceful development. The Chinese nation values peace, amity and harmony. It is part of our DNA. Opposed to all forms of hegemony and power politics and averse to the outdated view that power would invariably lead to hegemony, China will never seek hegemony or expansion. It is committed to fostering a peaceful international environment for its own development while contributing to world peace through its own development.
China will follow a path of development through reform. Reform is what our people want. It represents an overwhelming and unstoppable trend of our times. Reform is an ongoing process. China's reform has come to a critical historic juncture. We will stay firmly committed to comprehensively deepening reform as the driver of development, productivity and growth.
China will follow a path of development through innovation. Innovation is the very key to the prosperity and progress of a nation. China will continue to place innovation at the center of its national development agenda, seize the historic opportunity that comes with the new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation, fully implement the strategy of innovation-driven development and modernize the country's system and capacity of governance. We will break new ground, take on challenges and move closer to becoming a country strong in innovation.
China will follow a path of green development. Success in protecting the environment and tackling climate change has a close bearing on the well-being of the humanity and the future of our mother planet. Despite tremendous pressure for economic growth, China will not follow the beaten path of "pollution first, treatment afterwards." We will speed up efforts to put in place an environmental protection regime, keep exploring a model of sustainable development that is low-carbon, energy efficient and environment-friendly and save a beautiful home planet with clear skies, green forests and clean waters for our future generations.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Over the past seven decades, the United Nations has provided a vast stage for human development, strong support for developing countries and powerful impetus for international development cooperation. China hopes that the UN, proceeding from this new starting point, will demonstrate continued leadership and coordinate efforts to help countries follow up on the post-2015 development agenda, end poverty and hunger once and for all and achieve sustainable development. China also looks forward to deepening and broadening its cooperation with the UN on development. Together, we will witness solid and sustained progress of human development.
Thank you all.