Chinese ambassador to the UK highlights shared interests between China, UK

The Chinese Embassy in the UK held a reception to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China on Wednesday in London.

While his opening remarks, Chinese Ambassador Zheng Zeguang highlighted China's development during the past 75 years, as well as the diplomatic ties between the two countries since their establishment of diplomatic ties 52 years ago. 

"It has been 52 years now since our two countries established full, fresh diplomatic relations. History has taught us a lot about this relationship. Despite the differences in political system, history and culture, we do have a lot in common. Extensive shared interests, exchanges and cooperation between our two countries conformed to the people's aspiration of our two countries and serve the fundamental interests of our two peoples," said Zheng. 

"With our respective advantages in economy, education and culture, there are great potentials for collaboration."

In his remarks, Zheng also pointed out the historic achievements made by China during the past 75 years, as well as the unprecedented transformations the country has gone through. 

"China's composite national strength has achieved historic growth, and its development has been an engine for the global economy and injected positive energy into world peace," he said. 

He vowed that the Chinese people are going all out to achieve modernization through their own path. 

"With reform measures rolled out at the third plenum of the 20th CPC Central Committee, China's social vitality will be further unleashed, development momentum reinforced, and high-quality development boosted, and new opportunities will be created for China's cooperation with other countries," said Zheng.

He also highlighted the ties between China and the UK, saying that he hopes the two countries could work together to follow up on the understanding between the leaders, uphold mutual respect, enhance engagement and expand cooperation, so as to build a stable and mutually beneficial relationship and contribute to world peace and stability.

Alan Hydes, a former British table tennis player who visited China during the 1970s, recalled his experience of traveling to China with the American team, a trip known as the "Ping Pong diplomacy." Hydes recalled that they traveled to Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Quanzhou to play international matches. 

"We had 20,000 people watching the matches, and we had banquets in the Great Hall of the People. We met Premier Zhou Enlai. It was a great honor," said Hydes.

He said the changes that have happened to China during the past five decades is impressive. 

"The biggest achievement is how they've created such a wealthy and successful economy," Hydes recalled. "You can trust their integrity and their work ethic."

John McLean, chair of China UK Business Development Center, also shared his perspective, saying that the construction in infrastructure, poverty elimination, green technology development have all impressed him greatly. 

"This is a country that has changed quite markedly. And so when you put all that together, it's very difficult to stand back and say this is the same country I saw 25 years ago. Now it is a fundamentally different country."

Parliamentary Under-Secretary Catherine West at the FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) also spoke on behalf of the UK government at the reception. More than 500 guests from all walks of life in the UK, ambassadors from various countries to the UK, and representatives from the Chinese community, Chinese-funded institutions, and Chinese students also attended the event.

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