(By H. E. Wang Di, Chinese Ambassador to Canada)

October 1 this year marks the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. In retrospect, China has realized industrialization that took developed countries several centuries in only a few decades. It has achieved the two miracles of rapid economic growth and enduring social stability, and brought about a historic leap in people’s lives from having only adequate food and clothing to enjoying moderate prosperity in general, and then to leading a well-off life.

This year marks the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the beginning of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026—2030). Under the leadership of the CPC, the Chinese people are advancing with confidence toward the goals of building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects and realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Over the past decade and more, China’s contribution to global economic growth has remained at around 30 percent, which makes China an important contributor to global development and prosperity. In the first half of this year, China’s GDP grew 4.7 percent year on year, among the highest in major economies. In particular, China’s latest trio of export stars of AI, robots and innovative drugs are developing at a faster pace. China has released the world’s first open-source Kimi K3 large language model. Chinese companies accounted for more than 97 percent of global humanoid robot shipments. The total value of Chinese innovative drug out-licensing deals reached approximately 110 billion US dollars. Meanwhile, China is committed to an open approach to innovation. Much of its innovation is open-source. This enables more countries, particularly developing countries, to access affordable new technologies, which has enhanced their development capacity.

In China, green development is demonstrating strong momentum. China has the world’s largest installed capacity of photovoltaic (PV) power, surpassed coal-fired power capacity for the first time by the end of July this year, and becoming the country’s largest power source by installed capacity. This marks a major milestone in China’s energy transition. According to a report from the International Renewable Energy Agency, over the past decade, the average cost per kilowatt-hour of global wind projects has decreased by more than 60%, and that of PV power projects has dropped over 80%. The reductions are largely attributable to China’s innovation, manufacturing and production capacity. Today, while continuing to provide even greater “market dividends”, China is also offering “development dividends” as an anchor of stability and a hub for global industrial cooperation through its industrial development. Moreover, with its technological progress, China is offering more and more “innovation dividends” and accelerating global green and low-carbon transition. What these combined dividends generate for the world are greater opportunities and potential of development.

This year marks the 55th anniversary of the restoration of the People’s Republic of China’s lawful seat in the UN. China has firmly supported the UN in playing its core role in international affairs. At a time when multilateralism is facing headwinds, China has stepped up to shoulder its responsibilities. We have earnestly fulfilled our financial obligations as the second largest contributor to the UN budget. And we are also the largest troop contributor to UN Peacekeeping Operations among the permanent members of the UN Security Council. While some countries are turning toward protectionism, China remains committed to openness and cooperation. We have extended zero-tariff treatment to 63 countries and eliminated all restrictions on foreign investment in the manufacturing sector. 

In the face of serious challenges to the international order, last September, President Xi Jinping solemnly put forward the Global Governance Initiative. It is built on five core concepts: sovereign equality, international rule of law, multilateralism, a people-centered approach, and real actions. Upon its introduction, it swiftly gained support from nearly 160 countries and international organizations, with over 60 countries joining the Group of Friends of Global Governance. No matter how the landscape may evolve, we will continue to hold high the torch of genuine multilateralism, and continue to advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world and universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, building together a community with a shared future for humanity.

This year also marks the 56th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Canada. Our two countries have a long history of friendly exchanges, and the fruitful outcomes of bilateral cooperation in various fields have brought tangible benefits to the two peoples. In January this year, Prime Minister Mark Carney’s successful visit to China opened a new chapter of building China-Canada new Strategic Partnership. The two sides have since resumed and established dialogue mechanisms in a range of areas, including diplomacy, parliamentary affairs, trade and the economy, people-to-people exchanges and law enforcement, with tangible results continuing to emerge. According to Chinese statistics, in the first eight months of this year, bilateral trade volume grew by 17.1 percent year-on-year, with China’s imports from Canada increasing by 24.8 percent. Canada has become an important energy supplier to China. Canadian agricultural products such as canola and beef have returned to the Chinese market, while high-quality and affordable Chinese electric vehicles are providing Canadian consumers with more choices.

Following its role as the Guest Country of Honor at the China International Consumer Products Expo in April this year, Canada will once again serve as the Guest Country of Honor at the ninth China International Import Expo in November, for the first time in eight years. According to the latest survey by the Canada-China Chamber of Commerce, nearly 70 percent of Canadian companies expect their trade with China to increase over the next two years. Looking ahead, China will create new opportunities and provide new driving force for bilateral cooperation through its high-quality development and high-standard opening up. Regarding Canada’s ambitious goal to increase exports to China by 50% by 2030, we have every reason to believe that, as long as both sides work in the same direction and create the necessary conditions, this target will not only be achieved but even greater breakthroughs will be made.

As countries with significant influence in the Asia-Pacific region and around the world, China and Canada both actively support multilateralism and free trade, and share similar positions on many international issues. The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework reflects the responsibility and commitment demonstrated by China and Canada in working together to lead global ecological governance. During Prime Minister Carney’s visit to China, leaders of the two countries reached the consensus on working together to improve global governance, accelerate implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, advance the reform of the international financial system and other issues. In response to the evolving geopolitical landscape and global economy, China and Canada should jointly advocate and practice true multilateralism, strengthen multilateral coordination and work together to address global challenges. These efforts will not only benefit the two peoples but also inject stability and certainty into a turbulent world.

China will continue to work with Canada to effectively implement our leaders’ consensus. The two sides should lengthen the list of cooperation while reducing the list of irritants, and work to be partners that respect each other, pursue shared development, trust each other and collaborate with each other, so as to promote steady and sustained development of China-Canada relations, better benefit the two peoples, and contribute more positive energy to world peace and development.