On January 31, Chinese Ambassador to Canada, H.E. Cong Peiwu, attended the Reception Marking the 50th Anniversary of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China Relocating Its Office on the Current Site and delivered a speech. The full text is as follows:

It is a great pleasure to celebrate with you the 50th anniversary of the Chinese Embassy's relocating its office on the current site at the beginning of the Chinese New Year. According to the traditional Chinese lunar calendar, we are still enjoying the Spring Festival season. I would like to take this opportunity to extend New Year greetings and best wishes to you all.

With a history of more than a century, the building of the Chinese Embassy in Canada is a unique historical architecture and a cultural heritage in Ottawa. In 1972, the Chinese government purchased this property as the official embassy premises. Over the past 50 years, China has maintained the building carefully, and kept its original style. It witnessed the development of China-Canada relations, as well as changes and constancy.

For changes, the time has changed, the staff here has changed, and the outlook of the site has changed. Once a wood-frame house in 1862, it was built into a Gothic monastery in 1877. Later it was reconstructed and renovated many times before it finally became the premises of the Chinese Embassy in Canada. The courtyard of the embassy creates an elegant environment, with natural and cultural landscape side by side, forming a beautiful scenery along the bank of Rideau River. Five decades on, generations of Chinese diplomats have worked hard here, leaving behind many wonderful moments in China-Canada relations, such as the warm receptions featuring fine traditional Chinese culture. All are still vivid and fresh in our memories.

Yet, our friendship, aspirations and principles have remained unchanged. China and Canada enjoy a profound traditional friendship. During the Second World War, China and Canada fought side by side against the Japanese fascist invasion. Canadian doctor Norman Bethune sacrificed his life to rescue Chinese soldiers, and had become the eternal symbol of friendship between the two peoples. On October 13, 1970, diplomatic relations were established between China and Canada. For 50 years and plus, the aspirations of our two peoples to promote bilateral relations remain unchanged. The development of China-Canada relations has shown that a sound and stable bilateral relationship conforms to the fundamental interests of the two countries. 

Moreover, the basic principles we should abide by to promote China-Canada relations, namely mutual respect, and seeking common grounds while reserving differences, have never changed. It is hoped that Canada will meet China halfway, uphold the above-mentioned principles, and work with China to bring bilateral relations back on the right track, so as to shape a bright future for China-Canada relations.

The year 2023 marks the beginning of China’s new journey to build a modern socialist country in all respects. I believe that China will create new opportunities for Canada and the rest of the world with its own development.

Today, it is our pleasure to have the Ottawa string trio perform some masterpieces from China and other countries. We, Chinese people, believe "sharing nice music with bosom friends". And traditional Chinese music has its own appeal and emphasizes "harmony". We hope to meet more Canadian friends who view China's development in an objective way and actively support China-Canada relations. "Music is liquid architecture, and architecture is frozen music". Today we appreciate the "frozen music" while enjoying the "liquid architecture". I hope you will have a wonderful evening.