Speech by Chinese Consul General in Munich Qiu Xuejun at the 2026 Spring Festival Reception

February 6, 2026

Distinguished Dr. Florian Herrmann, Head of the Bavarian State Chancellery and Minister of State,
Distinguished Consul General Gábor Tordai-Lejkó, Dean of the Consular Corps in Munich,
Distinguished Mr. Li Siqing, Head of the Delegation of Hubei Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism,
Distinguished colleagues of the Consular Corps,
Dear compatriots,
Ladies and gentlemen:

Good afternoon!

On the occasion of the approaching Chinese New Year of the Horse, on behalf of the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in Munich, I would like to extend my warmest New Year greetings to you and, through you, to all overseas Chinese, staff of Chinese institutions and enterprises, Chinese students and scholars in Bavaria! I would also like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude to friends from all walks of life who care about and support China's development and the friendship between China and Germany, and between China and the State of Bavaria!

Fellow compatriots and dear friends,

- 2025 is the year of the successful conclusion of China's 14th Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development. Faced with complicated and challenging domestic and international environment, under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, China's economy has been forging ahead against pressure and developing towards newness and excellence, achieving new results in high-quality development, and the main goals and tasks for economic and social development has been successfully accomplished.

According to preliminary statistics, China's GDP exceeded 140 trillion yuan in 2025, representing a 5.0% increase over the previous year at constant prices. Grain production increased significantly, industrial production grew rapidly, the trade structure continued to optimize, the employment situation remained generally stable, residents' income continued to grow, social safety and stability ensured, and people lived and worked in peace and contentment. In 2025, China's innovation vitality and people's livelihood were both enhanced. New-quality productivity reshaped the industrial development pattern, with the equipment manufacturing industry and high-tech manufacturing industry showing better-than-average growth, and the output of products such as 3D printing equipment, new energy vehicles and industrial robots achieving rapid growth.

In October 2025, the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee was convened, reviewing and approving the 15th Five-Year Plan proposal, systematically planning the country's development for the next five years and beyond, which is of great significance for promoting Chinese path to modernization and achieving the second centenary goal. 2026 marks the start of the 15th Five-Year Plan. China will continue to adhere to the principle of pursuing progress while ensuring stability, and promoting stability through progress. Through deepening reform and expanding opening up, China will bring greater certainty to global economic recovery and growth.

- 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War, the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, and the 80th anniversary of Taiwan's restoration to China.

In this year, the international landscape has undergone more intense changes, with economic globalization suffering severe shocks, local wars and cross-border conflicts occurring frequently and unipolar hegemony becoming increasingly unpopular. Facing this new historical juncture, China holds high the banner of building a community with a shared future for mankind, deeply implements the four major global initiatives and the Belt and Road Initiative, firmly upholds the international system with the United Nations at its core, and remains a stabilizing force in the changing international order, striving for the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation while also working for the common good of all humanity.

This year, all Chinese compatriots at home and abroad jointly commemorated the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, with the common goal to remember history, honour the fallen, cherish peace and open up the future. We solemnly commemorated the 80th anniversary of Taiwan's restoration to China and set up the Commemoration Day of Taiwan's Restoration demonstrating the firm stance of the people from all ethnic groups in China in achieving national reunification and safeguarding the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity and showcasing our confidence and determination to realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

A new journey begins with a magnificent new starting point. As long as we remain confident in development, maintain strategic focus, carry forward the spirit of struggle, unite our efforts and forge ahead, we will surely overcome the difficulties and challenges on our path forward, realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, and make even greater contributions to building a community with a shared future for mankind.

- In 2025, relations between China and Bavaria made new steps  steadily forward with joint efforts made hand in hand. Guided by the principles of pragmatism and friendship, close exchanges at all levels has been made between China and Bavaria in various fields. China remains Bavaria's largest trading partner globally. More than 2,000 Bavarian enterprises maintain economic and trade connections with China, among which approximately 700 have established operations in China. Around 500 Chinese companies have already invested and established businesses in Bavaria. Within the framework of sisterhood, local exchanges have been revitalized. A sister-city relationship has been officially established between Dietfurt and Yuhuatai District of Nanjing City, and the Chinese Carnival and Bavarian Chinese Summer in Dietfurt continue to serve as bridges and links to promote people-to-people exchanges between China and Bavaria. With the joint efforts of both sides, Munich will receive two lovely giant pandas, becoming the second city in Germany, after Berlin, to have pandas. This is a testament to friendship and leave us more  expectation for the future.

Adversity reveals true character. The more turbulent and unsettled the world becomes, the more effectively the pragmatic and friendly cooperation between China and Bavaria can serve as a model of mutually beneficial cooperation between regions with different systems, cultures, and stages of development. In 2025, a seminar was jointly held by the Consulate General and friends from all walks of life in Bavaria commemorating the 50th anniversary of the pioneering visit to China by Mr. Franz Josef Strauss, late Governor of Bavaria and then Chairman of the CSU, to continue the pragmatic and friendly tradition and blue print future win-win cooperation. In 2026, the Consulate General will thoroughly implement the spirit of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, work hand in hand with the state government and people from all walks of life of Bavaria, make good use of China's new measures to further expand high-level opening-up, promote pragmatic cooperation between China and Bavaria in various fields to achieve a higher standard of mutual benefit and win-win results, and make our own contribution to world peace and development.

- The development of China-Bavaria relations is inseparable from the hard work of all Chinese compatriots residing in Bavaria. The Chinese community of Bavaria, as well as numerous students and employees of Chinese-funded enterprises here, have crossed oceans to work diligently on this fertile land of Bavaria, establishing a positive image of the Chinese nation as hardworking, friendly and enterprising, and also promoting regional cooperation and exchanges between China and Bavaria. The continued positive development of China-Bavaria relations and cooperation is the result of joint efforts and hard work by all of you!

The Party and the country always care about overseas Chinese, and the Consulate General will always be your strong support. In the new year, the Consulate General will, as always, practice the principle of diplomacy for the people, do a good job in your service and convey the care from the motherland to everyone of you. We also hope that all our compatriots will continue to carry forward the fine traditions, integrate into the local community, work diligently and conscientiously, and be participants in the development of our motherland, promoters of Chinese culture, builders of friendship between China and Bavaria and good story tellers  of China and the friendship between China and Bavaria as well.

Fellow compatriots and dear friends,

In Chinese culture, horse symbolizes courage, perseverance, and upward striving, embodying the auspiciousness and belief of success. Let us jointly wish that the friendship between China and Bavaria will endure and last forever! Wish you all a new year filled with the vibrant spirit of a dragon-horse, taking the lead and achieving success from the start!

Thank you all.