驻拉各斯总领事郭崑在国庆61周年招待会上的讲话（英文版）

My compatriots, dear Nigerian friends, and my colleges from the diplomatic corps, first, I am honored and grateful that you join us to celebrate the day that marked the new eras for both China and Nigeria.

This year, maybe you all notice the over heated discussion about China as the world’s largest exporter and the second largest economy. Well, I hope you also notice that China’s GDP at purchasing power parity per capita is 6,675 USD, merely ranking around world’s 100th.

Also, China now is at crucial junctures of extending the benefits of economic development to its every citizen, improving people’s wellbeing, and promoting social equity and justice which are the fundamental targets of our economic and social development. Therefore, to reach the target, transforming the mode of economic development, further promoting the reform and opening up, deepening institutional reforms etc. are just examples of the countless challenges lying ahead which we will have to face and solve. Indeed, there is no reason to be complacent yet a long way to go.

Internationally, the financial crisis continued to deepen and spread, hitting all major economies. The underlying impact of the crisis hasn’t been fully eliminated. Even though, the past two years have seen China emerge as one of the first countries to achieve an economic rebound and maintain steady and relatively fast economic development under extremely difficult and complex circumstances. Especially, we are pleased to the fact that the Sino-Nigeria cooperation has been quite fruitful: during the first half o this year, bilateral trade volume has reached to 3.67 billion USD, a 41.8% growth compared to the same period last year. In January and August, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and Mr. Ajumogobia made reciprocal visits respectively. And I am also happy that the number of the students in Confucius Institute in Unilag has grown from 0 to about 400. All these achievements did not come easily. I owe them to you, my friends! Once again, please accept my sincere regards!

Each Oct 1st, we share the joy to celebrate the birthday of new China and Nigeria, not to mention this time, the golden jubilee! My friends, may I suggest that we raise our glasses, to China, to Nigeria, to Sino-Nigeria friendship! Cheers!