Distinguished Professor Giovannini,

Distinguished Secretary-General Bartolomucci,

Dear students,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good morning!

It’s my great pleasure to meet you here. On behalf of the Chinese Embassy, I would like to extend my warmest welcome to you all.

Also, my welcome and special thanks go to Professor Giovannini for joining us and to Secretary General Bartolomucci and the Festival of Diplomacy for making this event possible.

Today’s event is about development and sustainability. It’s an important topic because development concerns everyone and is the eternal pursuit of human society.

I’d like to share with you some backgrounds about China’s development journey. More than 70 years ago, when the People’s Republic of China was just founded, our national economy was in shatters, and our scientific, technological and industrial foundations were weak. 80% of the country’s then 540 million people were illiterate, and most families struggled to afford food and keep warm, let alone living in a decent house.

Determined to change the situation, the Chinese government has been focusing on development for successive decades, and succeeded in turning China, the world’s largest developing country, from poverty-stricken to moderately well-off. China now feeds nearly one-fifth of the world’s population with 9% of the world’s arable land and 6% of its freshwater; By the end of 2020, China had lifted almost 100 million rural residents out of poverty, meeting the poverty eradication goal of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development 10 years ahead of schedule;

China has the world’s largest education, social security, medical and health-care systems and a middle-income group of more than 400 million people. These achievements aside, for a country with 1.4 billion population, China still has a long way to go.

It’s highly relevant to talk about development today, because in recent years, sustainable development around the world has met unprecedented challenges, with recurring regional conflicts, weak economic recovery, worsening climate change, and widening development gap. How to ensure efficient, fair and sustainable development in view of the shifting international situation? China’s answer is a new development philosophy, highlighting five elements of innovation, coordination, greenness, openness and sharing.

First, innovative development. Throughout history, people have always been dependent on technology. With each of the three major technological breakthroughs—steam engine, electricity, and digital technology—the world has been fundamentally changed. Just think, you can reach your long-distance friends with social media messaging in a split second, instead of waiting days and weeks for letters coming back and forth.

Now the Fourth Industrial Revolution is unfolding before our eyes. China is riding on this wave of revolution, and the public is benefiting from developments in 5G, AI, Internet of things (IoT), big data and cloud computing. For example, smart-phones have become so multi-functional that they make our daily life much easier. Companies can operate with greater efficiency and at lower costs. New industries and new business formats are emerging. One case in point is the “low-altitude economy”, which means using drones and “flying taxis” for logistics and transportation. If you go to some cities in China, you will find food and parcel delivery by drones.

Second, coordinated development. China is a vast country and extends about 5,500 kilometers from its north to south, 1,000 kilometers longer than from Rome to the northernmost tip of Europe. It also has a large population and an urbanization rate of 66%, which is lower than the level of about 80% in developed countries. So, in terms of natural conditions, resources per capita and development stages, we see great disparities between different regions and between urban and rural areas. For example, for Beijing and coastal cities like Shanghai, they are highly developed, and their infrastructure and income level is comparable with that of developed countries. But for some central and western regions, public facilities like schools and hospitals and industrial development are still relatively backward.

Only by coordinating the economic, material, natural and human resources across the board, can different regions complement each other’s strengths and realize balanced development altogether. For example, some most watched video clips on social media are China’s high-speed trains, navigating through mountains and tunnels. The reason we put so much effort into building high-speed railway is that we want to “speed up” the flows of resources.

Third, green development. If you were in Rome this summer, you will agree when I say that it was baking hot. Scientists believe that summer 2024 is expected to be the hottest ever. Alongside other climate change impacts, sea-level rise poses grave threats to coastal areas, with significant consequences for global biodiversity.

China is one of the mega-biodiversity countries in the world. Italy is also has the highest number and density of both animal and plant species within the European Union. I am sure that no one wants to see climate change wreaking havoc on our beloved motherlands.

The Chinese government has long refused to pursue economic growth at the cost of environment. Instead, we follow the approach that “lucid waters and lush mountains are true gold and silver”. Environmental protection and sustainable development can be realized in tandem.  

China has proposed the ambitious goal of peaking carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality before 2060 (“Dual Carbon” targets). This is no easy task because it means China will achieve the world’s most drastic reduction in carbon emission intensity, and use the shortest time in global history to reach carbon neutrality from carbon peaking.

In fact, China has already contributed a lot to the global green transformation——the size of China’s newly-added green coverage since 2000 accounts for 25% of the global total; China is one of the countries with the fastest reduction in energy intensity; China’s installed wind and solar power capacity ranks first worldwide and contributed more than half to the newly-added global renewable capacity; China’s forest carbon sink can absorb enough carbon dioxide equivalents per year to offset its automobile carbon emissions; new energy industries such as electric vehicles, solar cells, and lithium batteries have witnessed strong growth and actively helped China’s energy conservation and emission reduction efforts.

Fourth, open development. Centuries ago, it took Marco Polo several years to reach China from Venice; today, a 10-hour flight is enough. We are living in a “global village”. With easy transport bridging distances, free flow of goods, trade and people should follow naturally. It is impossible to choose to be a self-enclosed island. Why should anyone seek isolation when the benefits of opening up are so obvious? 

Opening up has benefited China. I grew up in the era of China’s reform and opening-up. I have witnessed how American Coca-Cola, Italian coffee and mobile phones have transformed from expensive luxury items to household must-haves in China. Now, as the world’s second largest economy, China is the main trading partner for more than 140 countries and regions, and has contributed more than 30% to world economic growth for more than 10 consecutive years.

Opening up is in line with China’s as well as the world’s development interests. China will step up its efforts in further opening up the economy. We have already fully opened up the manufacturing sector to foreign investments and is also allowing greater room for foreign capital in biotechnology, cloud computing, value-added telecommunications service, and wholly foreign-owned hospitals. We welcome all countries to share the “Chinese opportunity” and support an open global economy together. 

Fifth, shared development. China’s strategic goal is grand, and yet simple. That is, to deliver a better life for all the Chinese people and take good care of our common home together with people from all other countries. As ancient civilizations, both China and Italy value “harmony” and “sharing”. China does not intend to replace anyone or be anyone’s “big brother”. We want to make the fruits of development accessible to everyone. Along our journey to promote “people-centered” and sustainable development at home, China stands ready to cooperate with Italy and all other countries. I believe, that with a more inclusive and open mindset, we can realize mutually beneficial and shared development for all.

Dear students,

On this day, back in 1945, the United Nations officially came into existence. Today, when I look over this hall, knowing that although you come from various countries, you are all willing to learn more about China, and with a strong sense of responsibility, you care about development and sustainability, I see hope. Because ensuring a sustainable future for all requires unremitting efforts generation after generation. A lot falls on your shoulder and I’m sure you will all live up to it.

It is also my sincere wish that you find time to visit China and see what is going on there with your own eyes. After all, “meglio vedere che sentire”. It will help you understand China’s approach to development and many other issues.

Last but not least, as someone who truly misses his college life, I want you to hold onto your passion for learning, keep exploring your interests, and open yourselves up to new experiences. This is a sure way to create wonderful memories for your college life and to a more purposeful and satisfying life.

Thank you all.