On September 29, the Chinese Embassy in Washington hosted a reception to commemorate the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. Ambassador Xie Feng's remarks wove together historical milestones, data-driven insights and a vision for deeper US-China engagement.
The event opened with a video greeting from the Shenzhou-20 crew aboard the Chinese space station, symbolizing China's rapid rise in space exploration and broader tech innovation.
Since 1949, China has evolved from an impoverished nation to the world's second-largest economy, posting 5.3% GDP growth in the first half of 2025 and contributing over 30% to global economic expansion for more than a decade. Average life expectancy has more than doubled to 79 years, and initiatives like the China International Import Expo and Belt and Road cooperation have lifted over 40 million people out of poverty.
Ambassador Xie framed China as a 'force for stability', noting its unbroken record of peace—never initiating a war in 76 years—and highlighting contributions through the Global Security Initiative, joint boundary projects and UN peacekeeping missions.
On global governance, he outlined President Xi Jinping's Global Governance Initiative, which champions sovereign equality, multilateralism and inclusive decision-making to ensure all nations share in the benefits of globalization.
Turning to bilateral ties, Xie noted that US-China trade has surged 275-fold since 1979, reaching $688.2 billion last year. Some 82% of roughly 73,000 American firms in China have profited, and emerging sectors from AI to healthcare promise fresh avenues for cooperation. He urged both sides to respect core interests—especially on the Taiwan question—and manage differences through dialogue and the one-China principle.
Closing on a people-to-people note, the ambassador called for youth exchanges, cultural programs and simplified visa processes—hinting at a new app to streamline travel—to strengthen mutual understanding and goodwill.
As attendees raised a toast to China's National Day, the reception underscored the challenges and promise of one of the world's most consequential relationships, spotlighting shared stakes in prosperity, security and cooperation.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
