The 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, on October 1, was marked in Ireland with a reception hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Dublin as well as with a statement issued by the Communist Party of Ireland (CPI).
Ambassador He Xiangdong, together with his wife Xia Lining, hosted a reception for more than 300 people on the evening of September 26.
Early in his speech, Ambassador He underlined the importance of people-to-people diplomacy by recalling a special moment in China-Ireland relations:
“Here, I would like to pay special tribute to a few special guests. Mr. Kevin Carey, Mr. Patrick Dwyer, Mr. John McGrath, Mr. Norman Plunkett, Mr. Brian Purcell and Mr. Martin Moran. They are among the earliest Irish ‘envoys’ to the new China. In 1976, three years before the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Ireland, these five gentlemen and their teammates of the UCD [University College Dublin] football team paid a three-week visit to China. They visited Beijing, Shanghai, Changsha, Nanchang, Hangzhou and Guangzhou, and shared their experiences in Irish newspapers, opening a window for the Irish people at that time to know something about China. The spirit of curiosity, exploration and inclusiveness of these young people is still the source of power for the continuing development of China-Ireland relations.”
The Ambassador summarised 75 years of achievements in socialist nation building as follows:
“The past 75 years have witnessed the tremendous development and progress that China has made under the leadership of the Communist Party of China and by the hard-working Chinese people.
–We have historically solved the problem of absolute poverty, and more than 1.4 billion Chinese people have entered a well-off society.
–We have continuously developed the whole-process people’s democracy, and the people’s right to be masters of their own lives and their own country has been more fully realised.
–We have deepened the reform of the judicial system, strengthened the construction of a safe and law-abiding China, and made China one of the safest and most peaceful countries in the world.
–We have built the world’s largest education system, social security system, and medical and health system, and continuously enhanced the people’s sense of gain, happiness, and security.
–We have contributed 25% of the world’s new green area since the beginning of this century, built the world’s largest clean power generation network, with the largest installed capacity of hydropower, wind and solar power in the world. With an average annual energy consumption growth rate of 3%, we have supported an average annual economic growth of more than 6% and contributed to the global response to climate change and green transformation.
–We are committed to promoting the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. While achieving our own development, we provide assistance to more than 160 countries and international organisations to the best of our ability to help many other countries improve their people’s livelihood and move towards the goal of common development.”
He added: “We live in a world of interdependence where the destinies of nations are intertwined. China’s growth and development have been closely linked to its engagement with the global community, including Ireland. Looking into the past, China has proven itself as a partner to Europe and Ireland, not a rival, not a challenger, let alone a threat.
“For China, Ireland is a friend worthy of respect and trust, a bridge for China-EU cooperation and a partner in promoting globalisation. China’s further comprehensive deepening of reform and promotion of Chinese-style modernisation will bring new opportunities for China-Ireland practical cooperation and play a constructive role in maintaining the competitiveness of Irish companies. Let us join hands to promote the sustained and stable development of bilateral relations and build a bright future for Ireland and China.”
Former Taoiseach (Prime Minister) and Co-Chair of the Inter Action Council Bertie Ahern responded, speaking highly of China’s development achievements and praising the country for always being a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development, and a defender of international order. Ireland looks forward to the new high of Ireland-China relations and better benefits for the two countries and two peoples.
Meanwhile, in a statement published on social media, the Communist Party of Ireland sent, “revolutionary greetings to the Communist Party of China and to the Chinese people on the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the People’s Republic of China.”
The CPI noted that: “The victory of the Chinese Revolution shook the foundations of the system of colonial exploitation and sounded the death knell for the old European colonial empires. China’s example inspired other subject peoples in their struggles against colonialism and imperialism… In the 75 years since its foundation, the People’s Republic serves as an example to millions suffering under capitalist and imperialist exploitation.”
The following articles were originally published on the website of the Chinese Embassy in Dublin and on Instagram by the CPI.
The Chinese Embassy in Ireland held a Reception to Celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China
Sep 27 (Chinese Embassy in Ireland) — On September 26, Ambassador He Xiangdong and Madame Xia Lining held a reception to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Ambassador He, former Taoiseach and Co-Chair of Inter Action Council Bertie Ahern delivered speeches at the reception.
Ambassador He briefed the great achievements China has made in politics, economy, social security, green development, and international cooperation since the founding of the People’s Republic of China, and emphasized that the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee made systematic arrangements for further deepening reform and promoting Chinese-style modernization, which will bring new opportunities for China-Ireland practical cooperation.
Mr. Bertie Ahern spoke highly of China’s development achievements and praised China for always being a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development, and a defender of international order. Ireland look forward to the new high of Ireland-China relations and better benefits for the two countries and two peoples.
More than 300 guests from the Irish Government, Houses of the Oireachtas, Defense Forces, County and City councils, Diplomatic Corps, and various local communities attended the reception.
Remarks of Ambassador He Xiangdong at the Reception to Celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China
Sep 27 (Chinese Embassy in Ireland) —
Dear Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern,
Dear TDs and Lord Mayors and Cathaoirleachs,
Dear Ambassadors,
Dear friends from Chinese communities,
Distinguished Guests,
Welcome you all here today to celebrate with us the 75th Anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. First, I’d like to convey my heartfelt holiday greetings to all my fellow Chinese studying, working or living in Ireland. I also cherish the opportunity to express to all our Irish friends, present and not present, that how much I value your participation and contribution in building the ever-growing China-Ireland relations.
Here, I would like to pay special tribute to a few special guests. Mr. Kevin Carey, Mr. Patrick Dwyer, Mr. John McGrath, Mr. Norman Plunkett, Mr. Brian Purcell and Mr. Martin Moran. They are among the earliest Irish ” envoys” to the new China. In 1976, three years before the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Ireland, these 5 gentlemen and their teammates of the UCD football team paid a three-week visit to China. They visited Beijing, Shanghai, Changsha, Nanchang, Hangzhou and Guangzhou, shared their experiences on Irish newspapers, opening a window for the Irish people at that time to know something about China. The spirit of curiosity, exploration and inclusiveness of these young people is still the source of power for the continuing development of China-Irish relations.
Dear Friends,
The past 75 years have witnessed the tremendous development and progress that China has made under the leadership of the Communist Party of China and by the hard working Chinese people.
–We have historically solved the problem of absolute poverty, and more than 1.4 billion Chinese people have entered a well-off society.
–We have continuously developed the whole-process people’s democracy, and the people’s right to be masters of their own lives and their own country has been more fully realized.
–We have deepened the reform of the judicial system, strengthened the construction of a safe and law-abiding China, and made China one of the safest and peaceful countries in the world.
–We have built the world’s largest education system, social security system, and medical and health system, and continuously enhanced the people’s sense of gain, happiness, and security.
–We have contributed 25% of the world’s new green area since the beginning of this century, built the world’s largest clean power generation network, with the largest installed capacity of hydropower, wind and solar power in the world. With an average annual energy consumption growth rate of 3%, we have supported an average annual economic growth of more than 6%, and contributed to the global response to climate change and green transformation.
–We are committed to promoting the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. While achieving our own development, we provide assistance to more than 160 countries and international organizations to the best of our ability to help many other countries improve their people’s livelihood and move towards the goal of common development.
Today, China is the world’s largest industrial producer and trading power, and the world’s second largest commodity consumer market. It has formed the world’s largest and fastest growing middle-income population of more than 400 million. Against the backdrop of a weak global economy, the Chinese economy has shown strong resilience and continues to be a major engine of world economic growth. In the first half of this year, China’s economy grew by 5% year-on-year, attracted more than US$70 billion foreign investment. China is actively developing new quality productivity, promoting the high-end, intelligent and green development of manufacturing, and constantly enhancing new momentum for its development.
In the mean time, we are clear-eyed that much remains to be done in China’s development; sober-minded about challenges ahead. We will implement the spirit of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, to take more than 300 important reform measures in the next five years, improving various systems and mechanisms, expanding high-level opening up, further stimulating social vitality and development momentum, and vigorously promoting high-quality development.
Dear Friends,
We live in a world of interdependence where the destinies of nations are intertwined. China’s growth and development have been closely linked to its engagement with the global community, including Ireland. Looking into the past, China has proven itself as a partner to Europe and Ireland, not a rival, not a challenger, let alone a threat.
For China, Ireland is a friend worthy of respect and trust, a bridge for China-EU cooperation and a partner in promoting globalization. China’s further comprehensive deepening of reform and promotion of Chinese-style modernization will bring new opportunities for China-Irish practical cooperation and play a constructive role in maintaining the competitiveness of Irish companies. Let us join hands to promote the sustained and stable development of bilateral relations and build a bright future for Ireland and China.
Now, I’d like to propose a toast,
To the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China,
To the prosperity of China and Ireland,
To the friendship between our two peoples,
And to the health and happiness of all the friends here and your loved ones.
Sláinte! Cheers!
Revolutionary greetings on the 75th anniversary of the Peoples Republic of China
Oct 1 (CPI Instagram) — The Communist Party of Ireland sends revolutionary greetings to the Communist Party of China and to the Chinese people on the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the People’s Republic of China.
The Chinese Revolution, which established the People’s Republic, was an historic event in world history and was based on the revolutionary alliance between the Chinese working class
and the peasantry under the guidance and leadership of the Communist Party of China; an alliance which was built in the years of struggle against native capitalism and foreign imperialism.
The victory of the Chinese Revolution shook the foundations of the system of colonial exploitation and sounded the death knell for the old European colonial empires. China’s example inspired other subject peoples in their struggles against colonialism and imperialism.
The Communist Party of China was itself born in the revolutionary wave following the October Revolution and quickly grew to be the leading force in Chinese society by creatively applying the science of Marxism-Leninism to the concrete situation in China.
In the 75 years since its foundation, the People’s Republic serves as an example to millions suffering under capitalist and imperialist exploitation. China has taken 800 million people out of poverty, it has become the second strongest economy in the world and the life span of its people has almost doubled.
China’s foreign policy, which is based on equality between all states, is increasingly seen as offering hope to humanity, in contrast to the foreign policy of the US-led bloc which seeks to control the earth’s resources for capitalist exploitation and to use war, the threat of war and sanctions to maintain its hegemony.
We salute the Communist Party of China and the Chinese people on this great occasion.
Long Live the People’s Republic of China!
Long Live Proletarian Internationalism!
