China's Ambassador to the United Kingdom Zheng Zeguang delivers a speech and expresses good wishes for Chinese people living, studying, and working in the UK during the embassy's Chinese New Year reception on Jan 24. [Photo provided to China Daily]
As Chinese New Year, which falls on Jan 29 this year, is approaching, the Chinese Embassy in the United Kingdom hosted a reception on Friday in London.
China's Ambassador to the UK Zheng Zeguang and his wife Counsellor Hua Mei extended warm new year greetings to more than 400 overseas Chinese representatives from political, business, cultural and academic sectors in the UK.
Zheng addressed guests during the event, highlighting China's achievements in social and economic development over the past year, the recent upward trend in Sino-British relations, and the vital role of overseas Chinese as bridges between China and the UK.
Zheng said China has achieved steady economic progress, with its GDP growing by 5 percent year-on-year in 2024, reaching over 130 trillion yuan ($17.95 trillion).
Progress has also been made in pursuing high-quality development and driving forward green transformation, Zheng said, marked by the production of over 10 million new energy vehicles in a single year for the first time.
In the face of a complex geopolitical landscape, China will continue to respond to turbulence with confidence, resilience, and practical actions, Zheng emphasized.
Major reforms will continue to be rolled out, Zheng said, as China will vigorously boost domestic consumption and demand, as well as further expand high-standard opening-up through fostering a market-oriented and law-based business environment, up to international standards.
More than 400 guests representing political, business, cultural and academic sectors in the UK gather on Jan 24 to celebrate the upcoming Spring Festival. [Photo provided to China Daily]
Noting the positive momentum in bilateral relations, with leaders and senior officials of both countries holding talks and achieving tangible outcomes, Zheng expressed hope that the UK would work with China to follow through on the common understandings reached during these meetings and that China-UK relations would be handled in the spirit of mutual respect, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality, and mutual benefit.
Zheng also expressed gratitude for the vigorous support of overseas Chinese, Chinese enterprises, and Chinese students in the UK, recognizing their crucial role as promoters of Chinese culture and facilitators of people-to-people friendship.
He extended warm wishes for health and prosperity in the Year of the Snake.
Deng Zhuting, president of the London Chinatown Chinese Association, speaks at the event. [Photo by Yao Haopeng/For China Daily]
Deng Zhuting, president of the London Chinatown Chinese Association, or LCCA, said the prosperity of the motherland fills Chinese people in the UK with pride, and that a stable, mutually beneficial China-UK relationship serves the interests of people in both countries.
LCCA will continue to collaborate with all parties to strive for a better future, Deng said.
Fang Wenjian, chairman of the China Chamber of Commerce in the UK and general manager of the Bank of China London Branch, speaks at the event. [Photo by Yao Haopeng/For China Daily]
Fang Wenjian, chairman of the China Chamber of Commerce in the UK and general manager of the Bank of China London Branch, echoed the sentiment, saying that China's advancement provides strong backing for the growth of Chinese businesses abroad and that Chinese enterprises in the UK have also achieved stable development over the past year.
Looking ahead, Fang said Chinese businesses in the UK should seize the opportunity to strengthen bilateral economic and trade cooperation and promote cultural exchanges, fulfilling their duty to contribute to the long-term stability and sustainable development of China-UK relations.
Zhong Shaohong, president of the Chinese Students and Scholars Association in the UK, speaks at the event. [Photo by Yao Haopeng/For China Daily]
Zhong Shaohong, president of the Chinese Students and Scholars Association in the UK, said that Chinese students studying abroad are not only witnesses to China's milestones but can also be active contributors.
He added that he will keep on dedicating himself to research and using his knowledge to give back to society.
