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In the past year of 2020, the governments and people of Thailand and China went through thick and thin and shared weal and woe to combat the COVID-19 outbreak and subsequent grave challenges. We have been working with friends from all walks of life in Northern Thailand to fight against COVID-19. Also in this same year, we commemorated the 45th anniversary of the establishment of China-Thailand diplomatic relations together. Our bilateral cooperation in trade and economics, science and technology, education, culture, environment and other areas have made good progress. Our deep ties of "Jeen Thai Phee Nong Gan" (China and Thailand are brothers) have been reflected in these outstanding achievements. Despite the ruthless virus and difficulties ahead, our two countries are determined to stay friends that treat each other more sincerely.
2020 is the year that China completed the building of a moderately prosperous society in all aspects, along with the 13th Five-Year Plan.Despite a buildup of domestic and international risks and challenges, China has maintained a sustained and healthy economic and social development. The progress of the main indicators of the 13th Five-Year Plan was in line with expectations. In the meanwhile, the new major progress toward building a moderately prosperous society in all respects has been made. The Fifth Plenum of the 19th CPC Central Committee was held in Beijing in October 2020. The Plenum fully recognized the development achievements of the past five years, as well as charted the course for future development of China in the next 5 to 15 years. In the past five years, the economic and social development of China has scored remarkable achievements. Gross domestic product (GDP) edged close to 100 trillion yuan with per capita figure exceeded the level of 10,000 US dollars. China contributed more than 30 percent of global economic growth. Meanwhile, the living standards of Chinese people have been significantly improved. Of historic proportions, extreme poverty has been eradicated in China at the end of 2020. In addition, marked improvements were made in ecological and environmental conservation. Last but not least, we firmly expanded opening-up and made significant headway to pursue the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) with joint efforts. Accordingly, 138 countries and 30 international organizations have joined the BRI by signing 200 cooperation agreements. There is simultaneous increase both in the imports and exports between China and other BRI member countries, including Thailand.
The new year 2021 will see an embarking of China on a new journey to fully build a modern socialist country. This journey has three new elements. First, from now on China's development will enter a new stage. By 2035, China's economic and technological strength, and overall national strength will increase significantly. The per capita GDP will reach the level of moderately developed countries. Second, China is applying the new development philosophy, namely, one of pursuing innovative, coordinated, green, open and shared development. In the meantime, promoting common prosperity for everyone will be further emphasized. Third, China is establishing a new development pattern where domestic and foreign markets can boost each other with the domestic market as mainstay. Relying on the advantages of the vast domestic market, China will also foster global economic cooperation to achieve mutual benefit.
2021 also marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in Chiang Mai. We will adhere to the principle of peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefit, to share the opportunities and benefits of China's development with all friends in Northern Thailand. We shall concentrate on supporting each other and joining hands to contain the spread of the virus, while further synergize with the development plan of Northern Thailand under the framework of the BRI and Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC). Besides, we are seeking new models and new forms of cooperation among us on emerging areas, e.g., digital economy, smart manufacturing, 5G, big data, smart city et al. These will inject new impetus into China-Thailand and regional peace, development and prosperity, then bear new fruits.
Time unfolds us gradually year to year and tomorrow is today's dream. Let us work hand-in-hand with confidence and enthusiasm on a new dream to create greater achievements in cooperation between our two countries! May both Thailand and China flourish and people be contented! May the new year bless all of our friends with safety and happiness!