Your Excellencies Ambassadors, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Representatives of International Organizations and Spouses,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Friends,

Good evening! It’s a great pleasure to be joined by friends both old and new to ring in the new year and renew our friendship. On behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, I would like to extend a warm welcome to all the ambassadors, representatives and members of the diplomatic corps present, and sincere appreciation to friends from across the sectors who have long supported China’s diplomacy.

The year 2023 witnessed instability and transformation in the world, but, more importantly, there was impetus for development and progress. Having emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic, the world values exchange even more dearly. Having experienced crises and conflicts, the world pursues peace even more resolutely. Over the past year, the notion of a new cold war has been widely rejected, and the approach of decoupling and cutting off industrial and supply chains has proven a dead end. More countries and peoples have come to realize that we humanity