Hyatt Regency Chicago

September 25, 2013

Distinguished Guests, Dear Friends, Ladies and Gentlemen:

Good evening.

It is my great pleasure to host this reception and celebrate with you the 64th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. First, I wish to express my warmest welcome and sincere thanks to all of you for your gracious presence.

Among the distinguished guests this evening, we have State and Municipal leaders and senior officials, representatives of business, education and culture communities, colleagues of the Consular Corps and members of the Chinese community.

You are here out of your busy schedule, and many of you have come from afar to join us. Some have travelled more than a hundred or even hundreds of miles from Iowa, Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana and other cities of Illinois. I am honored with the kind attendance of every one of you and I appreciate your friendship.

China continues to achieve significant social and economic development this year. The Chinese Government is determined to deepen reform and opening-up so as to ensure sustained and stable economic development, build a prosperous and strong nation and achieve national revitalization. In pursuing its own dream of national development, China will assume greater responsibilities and obligations in international affairs commensurate with its national strength and realities and work with other countries to promote the world's peace, stability and prosperity.

China-US relationship is enjoying steady development towards the goal of building a new model of major-country relations, which means "no conflict or confrontation", "mutual respect" and "win-win cooperation". China's exchanges and cooperation with America's Midwest has also witnessed new progress and brought tangible benefits to both sides.

China is now the largest export market outside of North America for most states in our consular area. China's investment in this region has reached more than 7 billion US dollars according to US statistics, and about 50,000 Chinese students are studying here. Further growth of China's economy will certainly provide even greater opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation between China and the US as well as Midwest states in various fields.

Looking ahead, I see bright future for China's development and China-US relations. I myself and my colleagues in the Consulate will continue to work hard to push forward China's partnership with all nine states in our consular area and provide our best service to friends from all circles of life.

Now, I propose a toast,

to the prosperity of the People's Republic of China and the United States

of America and people's well-being,

to the lasting China-US friendship,

to the health of all the distinguished guests.

Cheers!