On the afternoon of September 12th, 2019, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a promotional event under the theme of “China in the New Era: Innovative Hunan Embracing the World” in Beijing. During the promotion, the guests, including 220 diplomatic envoys in China from 145 countries, representatives from international organizations in China and heads of Fortune Global 500 companies, had a close encounter with Hunan’s remarkable achievements, wonderful story of innovation and fascinating features of openness since the founding of New China. State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi delivered a speech. Secretary of Hunan Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Du Jiahao addressed the event, and Governor of the People's Government of Hunan Province Xu Dazhe gave the presentation.Secretary of the CPC Committee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Qi Yu was present.
Wang Yi said, Hunan, as an important province of China, has always had a unique position in the magnificent development process of Chinese nation. It is the cradle of the Chinese revolution and is the home of Comrade Mao Zedong, the main founder of the People's Republic of China, as well as a large number of devoted revolutionaries including three marshals and six generals who fought for the founding of the country. Hunan people have made immortal contributions to the founding of the People's Republic of China and the national liberation. Hunan, an epitome of reform and opening up, implements the strategy of innovation-led opening up and rising, strives to build a new highland for inland to open up and actively responds to the Belt and Road Initiative. Furthermore, Hunan serves as a model of poverty alleviation. In 2013, General Secretary Xi Jinping put forward the important concept of “targeted poverty alleviation” for the first time in Shibadong village of west Hunan. Poverty alleviation in Hunan has thus entered the fast lane and people’s livelihood has also seen substantial improvement.
Wang Yi pointed out, 7 decades ago, Chairman Mao declared with strong Hunan accent that the Central People’s Government of the People’s Republic of China was founded and Chinese have since stood up. These words are still resonating in the heart of the Chinese people, spurring them to work arduously to achieve Chinese rejuvenation. China's achievements in the past seventy years prove that China has chosen the right path, the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics under the leadership of the CPC. China's achievements in the past seventy years prove that China's development is an opportunity for the world. On the international front, China has always adhered to peaceful development, mutual benefit and win-win cooperation. It remains committed to safeguarding the current international order and system, and promoting globalization and trade liberalization. It seeks common development with other countries on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit.
Wang Yi stressed, at present, the world is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century with various global challenges on the rise. Unilateralism, protectionism and power politics are rearing their ugly head again, posing threats to the stability and development of the world. Under such circumstances, no country can stay immune on its own. All countries need more than ever before to strengthen communication and coordination, respect each other's development path, make the pie of mutually beneficial cooperation bigger, jointly safeguard international equity and justice, firmly safeguard multilateralism and continuously promote the democratization of international relations. China stands ready to make positive contributions to this end.
Du Jiahao put forward in his speech that Hunan is the hometown of Chairman Mao Zedong with a long history, rich resources and dazzling natural landscapes. Since the founding of New China, Hunan has made significant achievements. He expressed, Hunan has, according to the instructions of General Secretary Xi Jinping, proposed to implement the strategy of innovation-led opening up and rising and let innovation and opening up drive Huna’s economic and social development. Hunan insists on promoting comprehensive innovation in all fields with scientific and technological innovation as the focus, actively promotes the establishment of an innovative province, and accelerates the construction of a new system of innovative economy. Besides, Hunan actively integrates itself into the world and advances higher-quality opening up. It has established trading relations with more than 200 countries and regions. In the meantime, one hundred and seventy World Fortune 500 companies invest in Hunan and over 1500 Hunan’s enterprises is going global, winning much popularity among other peoples in hybrid wheat, machinery and transportation. In this year, the Changsha International Construction Equipment Exhibition 2019 and the First China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo took place in Hunan.
Du Jiahao said an innovative and open Hunan is a blessing land not only for development and prosperity, but also with many wonders unseen. He sincerely expected that countries could pay more attention to Hunan. It is also hoped that Hunan will embrace a bright future in cooperation and development through this promotion.
Xu Dazhe stressed that Hunan has, according to the instructions of General Secretary Xi Jinping, proposed to implement the strategy of innovation-led opening up and rising and build itself into a rich, beautiful and happy land. Nowadays, Hunan is undergoing remarkable changes as fruitful results have been seen in innovation; innovative system is taking shape along with marvellous Xiaohe River and Xiangjiang River and talents are being nurtured within Chu’s land. Meanwhile, Hunan is accelerating its pace of rising in innovation and opening-up to strive for its own chapter of Chinese Dream. Besides, Hunan is making its way toward modern industrial system, high-end industrial technology and smart development of the manufacturing industry. It remains committed to the transition from “Made in Hunan” to “Created in Hunan” and the restructuring and upgrading in traditional industries. Ultimately, Hunan is taking the path of green development as the concept that lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets is kept in mind.
Philippine Ambassador to China Jose Santiago Sta. Romana and Ugandan Ambassador to China Crispus Kiyonga delivered speeches respectively. They spoke highly of the great economical achievements that Hunan has made over the past seventy years, and gave full recognition to the achievements of Hunan's innovative development. Moreover, they introduced the close contacts and cooperation between Hunan and their countries, expressing the willingness to continuously deepen exchanges and cooperation.
Prior to the promotion event, Wang Yi conducted a talkfest for deepening cooperation between the ministry and the province with Du Jiahao and Xu Dazhe, and visited themed exhibition of Hunan with some ambassadors. During the event, Du Jiahao and Xu Dazhe met with some diplomats to China and representatives of international organizations including American Ambassador to China Terry Edward Branstad. They exchanged views on further deepening cooperation in economy and trade and enhancing friendly exchanges.