Remarks by Ambassador Cui Tiankai At the 2021 Chinese New Year Online Reception & Symphony Concert
February 11, 2021
驻美国大使崔天凯在春节线上交响音乐招待会上的致辞
2021年2月11日
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear friends,
女士们，先生们、朋友们：
Today is Chinese New Year's Eve - a time for reunion, blessing and celebration. It is a great pleasure for me and the Chinese Embassy in the United States to celebrate this festive moment with you online. Tonight, we will present a musical feast brought by Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra and other master musicians. First, I wish to extend sincere appreciation and best wishes to them and to all the wonderful artists in the Embassy's celebration events over the past week.
In a few hours, we will ring in the Year of the Ox. In the Chinese culture, ox symbolizes stamina, energy and dedication. Standing at the beginning of a new year, I hope that we will show the spirit of the ox and work together for a better shared future, for the Chinese and American people and people of the whole world.
First, let's defeat COVID-19 with the stamina of the ox. We will never forget that the Chinese and American people have supported each other and held on together during the pandemic. With the fight still going on, we should steel our will and step up our efforts until the final victory. I believe as long as we persevere, guided by science and humanitarianism, we will overcome the pandemic together not too far from now.
Second, let's bring about post-pandemic recovery and growth with the energy of the ox. Faced with a severe recession caused by COVID-19, countries must enhance macroeconomic policy coordination to fend off economic and financial risks. China will stay committed to the win-win strategy of opening-up and economic globalization, and work with the United States and other countries to inject confidence and energy into the global economy.
Third, let's pool our strength and wisdom for a better future with the dedication of the ox. We all live on the same planet. With an array of global challenges to tackle, such as communicable diseases and climate change, countries need to put aside differences, act with a sense of responsibility and solidarity, and strive to build a community with a shared future together.
What's past is prologue. 2021 marks the centenary of the Communist Party of China and the beginning of the 14th Five-Year Plan period. Going forward, China will continue to modernize its governance system and capacity, and foster a new development paradigm with domestic circulation as the mainstay and domestic and international circulations reinforcing each other. China's development will not only benefit its own people, but also make great contribution to world peace, stability and prosperity.
2021 also marks the 50th anniversary of Dr. Henry Kissinger's first secret visit to China and the Ping-pong Diplomacy. Over the past five decades, China and the U.S. have risen above ideological differences and Cold-War confrontation and made great strides in their relations. This has not only positively impacted both countries, but also changed the whole world. As we bid farewell to the past year, we should more look to the future, and work together to realize the sound and stable development of China-U.S. relations.
In the Chinese zodiac, ox is a most auspicious and prosperous animal sign. I would like to again express best regards to my fellow compatriots in the United States and all my American friends. I wish you a healthy, joyous and prosperous Year of the Ox. Now let's ride the wings of music, and embrace the new year together.