Your Excellency Ambassador Chin Siat Yoon, Acting Dean of the Diplomatic Corps,
Your Excellency Wu Shulin, Deputy Administrator of the General Administration of Press and Publication,
Distinguished Guests,
Friends and Comrades,

We are pleased to inform you that China's Foreign Affairs 2009 photo album has come off the press today. Let me begin by extending a warm welcome to all the guests and friends who have come here to attend this launching ceremony.

The year 2009 was of special historical significance, as it marked the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and New China's diplomacy. In 2009, the Chinese people warmly celebrated the 60th anniversary and successfully dealt with the severe international financial crisis. China's international standing rose further and its role and influence in the world attracted greater attention than ever.

The year 2009 was a fruitful year for China's diplomacy. Amidst a fast-changing international landscape, we seized the opportunities and rose to the challenges. We intensified exchanges with major countries and pursued all-round deepening of friendship and cooperation with neighboring countries and fellow developing countries. We vigorously engaged in summit diplomacy and stepped up economic, security and public diplomacy. We firmly upheld China's sovereignty, security and development interests and made an active contribution to world peace and common development, adding a splendid chapter to the annals of China's diplomacy. These achievements would not have been possible without the understanding and support of the Chinese people and the solidarity and collaboration of all regions and government departments. I also want to thank all the diplomatic envoys for your strong support to China's diplomacy and the important contribution you have made to the friendship and cooperation between China and the rest of the world.

Conscious of the growing interest from home and abroad in China's foreign policy, diplomatic vision and external relations, we published the inaugural issue of China's Foreign Affairs photo album last year. The album has been well-received in China and abroad, and has contributed to better understanding of China's foreign affairs and China's friendship and cooperation with the world.

China 's Foreign Affairs 2009 photo album records China's foreign affairs in the past year with vivid images and detailed captions. The images capture China's diplomatic vision, foreign policy and external relations, reflect China's commitment to the path of peaceful development and the win-win strategy of opening up, and express China's sincere aspiration for common development and prosperity with the whole world. We hope that the annual photo album will give you a keen insight into China's foreign policy of peace and the extensive progress in China's diplomacy.

In 2010, we have been both active and innovative in our diplomatic work: summit diplomacy has been fruitful, diplomacy surrounding the World Expo has made a big impact, and diplomacy in various other areas has advanced in tandem. These memorable moments will be captured in next year's album. Reviewing the past, we are gratified and proud. Looking ahead, we are fully aware of the heavy responsibility on our shoulders. We will continue to stand for peace, development and cooperation, deepen friendship and cooperation with all countries, and make unremitting efforts to uphold China's sovereignty, security and development interests and build a harmonious world of enduring peace and common prosperity.

Let me take this opportunity to express sincere appreciation to all the agencies that have supported and assisted in the editing and publication of the photo album. We count on your continued support to make the album series an even bigger success in the years to come.

Thank you.