Remarks by China’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Fu Cong at the Year of the Horse Celebration at the United Nations

Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Friends,

Good evening! And thank you all for joining us tonight to celebrate the Year of the Horse here at the United Nations!

First of all, I wish to congratulate our robot friends on that stunning performance. This marks the debut of Chinese robots at the UN, and I believe it really speaks volumes about the latest achievements of China's innovation-driven development. I am truly amazed, and deeply proud, of the remarkable progress my country has made.

春节, literally meaning the Spring Festival, is the most important traditional festival in China. It is a time of family reunion, and it embodies the Chinese nation's enduring aspirations for peace, development, and prosperity. 

Tonight, thanks to our friends who have traveled all the way from China, the festive spirit is palpable at the UN. My special thanks go to the Shanghai Museum, for preparing a rich array of authentic experiences of traditional New Year customs; 

My thanks also go to the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism and the Central Academy of Fine Arts, who have teamed up to design this beautiful Zodiac exhibition for the Year of the Horse; 

And, of course, I thank our very talented robot team, who will continue to surprise us throughout the evening. 

So I do hope that after you graciously endure my not-too-long speech, you will fully enjoy what promises to be a truly memorable night.

Dear Friends,

We are about to bid farewell to the Year of the Snake. In this special year marking the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, we have witnessed profound changes unfolding across the world. Peace and development face serious challenges, and the United Nations, against strong headwinds, has continued to press ahead with reform.

In just one week, we will welcome the arrival of the Year of the Horse. The theme of today's event, "Galloping forward with the United Nations", reflects our shared aspiration to move forward like a spirited horse. In Chinese culture, horse symbolizes courage, unity, and perseverance. These, I believe, are precisely the qualities that the Year of the Horse calls upon us to embrace.

Looking ahead, we must first of all have the courage to lead the charge.

At present, we are witnessing changes unseen in a century accelerating across the world, alongside a fluid and turbulent international landscape. Faced with mounting global challenges, from geopolitical conflicts and development gaps to climate change and the governance of artificial intelligence, we must step forward with the courage to lead. We must rise up to the responsibilities entrusted to us by history and by our times. 

As the second-largest contributor to the UN regular budget and a permanent member of the Security Council, China will continue to earnestly fulfill its responsibilities. Together with all nations, we will meet challenges head-on, and do our utmost to inject greater stability and positivity into a turbulent world.

In this process, we must move forward in unity, like a herd of horses galloping together on a shared journey.

History has shown us that in times of crisis, division, confrontation, zero-sum thinking, or a return to the law of the jungle offer no way out, while dialogue, mutual trust, unity, and cooperation remain the only right path forward. 

China has always upheld the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, practiced true multilateralism, and opposed all forms of unilateralism and bullying. 

We will always remain a trustworthy partner of the United Nations. And we stand ready to work with all countries to strengthen support for the UN system, uphold the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits, promote meaningful reform and greater efficiency within the UN, and build a more just and equitable system of global governance.

And just like the horse, an animal known for its perseverance, we must have the resolve to carry through.

Great visions must be matched by concrete actions. In recent years, President Xi Jinping has successively proposed the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative, and the Global Governance Initiative, offering Chinese solutions to the common challenges facing the world. These initiatives have received broad support from the international community and have delivered tangible outcomes. 

China has taken on its responsibility to promote global development, contributing around 30 percent to world economic growth. China's AI technologies continue to achieve breakthroughs, empowering industries across the board. We have also proposed the establishment of a World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization to strengthen joint governance, so that more countries can share the benefits. 

It is our firm belief that only by upholding a pragmatic and results-oriented approach, can we continue to turn the vision of a community with a shared future for humankind from aspiration into reality.

Dear Friends,

Under the leadership of President Xi Jinping, China is striding forward on a new journey toward the building of a modern socialist country. This year marks the start of China's 15th Five-Year Plan. We have mapped out not only a blueprint for the country's socioeconomic development over the next five years, but also a promising vision of win-win cooperation between China and the rest of the world.

As the United Nations embarks on its next 80 years, China stands ready to deepen cooperation with the UN, and work hand in hand with all countries to build a more peaceful, more prosperous, and more beautiful world.

In closing, on behalf of all my colleagues at the Chinese Mission, I wish you all a very happy, healthy, and successful Year of the Horse!

And now, as usual, please allow me to send my best wishes to my country and to my compatriots in my mother tongue: 

我代表中国常驻联合国代表团给全国人民拜年！

祝福伟大祖国繁荣昌盛、国泰民安！

祝福全国人民安康顺遂、吉祥如意！

让我们一起跃马扬鞭，马到功成！

谢谢大家！

Thank you all.