On October 1, 2023, we will celebrate the 74th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. This is an important moment and there is much to celebrate. As the Chinese ambassador to Israel, I would like to write for our Israeli friends a few words about China's development path and China-Israel relations.
Over the past 74 years, the CPC has united the Chinese people and led them in constant progress and shaping our future as a nation independently, as well as paving the way for the great renewal of the Chinese nation. The facts have shown that the path of socialism combined with Chinese characteristics is not only right and sustainable – it is also stable and solid.
In this period of 74 years, which includes the period of over 45 years since the beginning of the era of openness and reform, and especially in the period of over 10 years since socialism with Chinese characteristics entered the new era, China has made impressive achievements in the field of economy and social development, bringing about tremendous changes throughout the country. We achieved the "first goal of the century" – building a modern and prosperous society in all respects – and brought about a historic solution to the problem of absolute poverty by lifting over 100 million people above the poverty line in rural areas. We have implemented the human-centric development philosophy, developed the largest education system in the world, as well as the world's largest social and health insurance systems, and improved people's lives in all areas while striving for shared prosperity. The Chinese economy has entered a new stage of high-quality development. We are accelerating efforts to increase self-dependence on science and technology, turning China into a country of innovation. Building on our belief that clean water and green mountains are of equal value to gold and silver metals, we are taking concrete steps to create green, rotational, low-carbon development. Despite the difficult and complex global conditions, in the first six months of 2023, China's gross national product grew at an annual rate of 5.5% – along with the world's leading major economies. This demonstrates the resilience of the Chinese economy. The basic infrastructure of China's long-term growth has not changed.
Over the past 74 years, China has adhered to the path of peaceful development, always promoting world peace and contributing to global development while adhering to a world order. We are committed to win-win cooperation and to fostering a new kind of international relations and an international community with a common future for humanity. China has proposed and actively implemented the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative, thus providing Chinese solutions and bearing Chinese responsibility for the development and progress of humanity. China has also brought benefits to the world through its development – it has accounted for over 30 percent of global growth for ten consecutive years. A decade ago, the Belt and Road Initiative was first conceived. This year marks its 10th anniversary, and the Belt and Road Initiative International Cooperation Forum will be held in Beijing soon. The initiative has become a belt of prosperity and a path to happiness, thus helping all humanity around the globe.
Standing at a new historical starting point, the CCP's central mission is to lead the Chinese people and all ethnic groups in a concerted effort to achieve the second goal of the century: transforming China into a formidable socialist state in all respects and promoting the renewal of the Chinese nation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization. Chinese modernization is socialist modernization undermined by the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party. It includes elements common to the modernization processes of all countries, but it is also characterized by characteristics unique to the Chinese context. Chinese modernization is the modernization of a huge population, of common prosperity, of materialistic and cultural-ethnic progress, of harmony between humanity and nature, and peaceful development. Our future is bright, but we still have a long way to go in building any modern socialist state in every way. China is committed to its basic national policy of openness while striving for a high level of openness that helps both sides. China will draw momentum from the world's openness and cooperation, and will continue to provide new opportunities and greater benefits to all countries as we develop.
Chinese companies participate in infrastructure projects in Israel. Projects such as the construction of the new port in Haifa and the construction of the Tel Aviv Light Rail's Red Line are underway and contribute to Israel's economic and social development
More than 30 years ago, China and Israel established diplomatic relations. Since then, our bilateral relations have maintained strong momentum. Our leaders have maintained close communication and reciprocity, and we have reached an important consensus in China-Israel relations while creating an additional push and direction for the development of relations. Our practical cooperation in various fields has led to fruitful results that have benefited both countries and both peoples. In 2022, bilateral trade reached $25.5 billion and recorded growth of 11.6% annually.
China has become Asia's largest trading partner and the world's second largest trading partner, as well as Israel's main source of imported goods. Chinese companies participate in infrastructure projects in Israel. Projects such as the construction of the new port in Haifa and the construction of the red line of the Tel Aviv Light Rail are underway and contribute to Israel's economic and social development. The Israeli-Chinese Innovation Park in Changzhou and the Shanghai Innovation Hub, established jointly by both sides, continue to surge forward. Cooperation in the field of innovation has become a central area and a driving force in bilateral relations. Another thing worth mentioning is the rapid resumption of interactions between peoples after the COVID-29 pandemic. Direct flights from Chinese cities – including Shanghai, Beijing and Shenzhen – to Tel Aviv have resumed. China also resumed group visits to Israel. The number of twin cities between China and Israel grew to <> pairs.
With complementary strengths led by strong internal dynamics, Sino-Israeli cooperation has brought benefits to both sides and demonstrates the enormous and broad-minded potential. The Chinese side is ready and willing to work with our Israeli friends on the important consensus that our leaders have reached and jointly create a future for China-Israel relations, thereby bringing even greater benefit to both countries and our two peoples.
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