Your Honorable Albert Chalamila, the Regional Commissioner of Dar es Salaam,

Your Honorable Dr. Anna Makakala, Commissioner General of Immigration(CGI),

Envoys to Tanzania,

Dear friends who care about China-Tanzania relations,

Distinguished guests and compatriots,

Good evening!

First of all, on behalf of the Chinese Embassy in Tanzania, I would like to extend my sincere greetings and Chinese New Year wishes to all the guests and all the compatriots in Tanzania! The Chinese New Year is coming in a few days and it is the most important traditional festival for all the Chinese people. I believe that everybody has already felt the atmosphere of the spring festival in the lively temple fair and the cheerful dragon dance.

The Lunar New Year is a common memory of the Chinese people at home and abroad and an important part of the traditional Chinese culture. It carries peace, friendship, harmony and other concepts of Chinese civilization, as well as the common expectations of all humanity for reunion, happiness, contentment and well-being. The recent 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution designating the Lunar New Year as a United Nations holiday. The resolution fully demonstrates that the Chinese New Year belongs to not only China, but also the entire world. As we embrace the Chinese New Year of the Dragon, it is a great pleasure to gather with you to say goodbye to the old and welcome the new year.

The passing 2023 marked the first year for fully implementing the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC). Under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, China has embarked on a new journey of comprehensively building a modern socialist country.

Last year has witnessed steady progress in the Chinese modernization. In 2023, China has achieved all the main goals for economic and social development, and its GDP exceeded 126 trillion yuan(RMB), up by 5.2% year on year and ranking among the best of the world’s major economies. Its contribution to world economic growth is expected to exceed 30%. China has maintained a positive trend of its economy for the long run, and the pace of the Chinese people in building a modern country is solid, firm, and vigorous.

Last year, China forged ahead with its major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics. In 2023, we upheld Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy as the fundamental principle and took head-of-state diplomacy as the strategic guidance, effectively promoted the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. We held the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, advocated for world peace and security, injected impetus into global development, and contributed to the improvement of global governance. Those wonderful moments have contributed to a new chapter of win-win cooperation with the world, demonstrating China’s enhanced international influence, stronger capacity to steer new endeavors, and greater moral appeal in the new era.

Last year, the traditional friendship between China and Tanzania kept pace with the times. In 2023, we solemnly celebrated the 74th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the 10th anniversary of the visit paid by president Xi Jinping to Tanzania, proposing the principles of sincerity, real results, amity, and good faith, and the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative. Following President Hassan’s visit to China in 2022, the two heads of state met again in Johannesburg in August 2023, showing the high level of political mutual trust between China and Tanzania. In 2023, China maintained its status as Tanzania’s largest trading partner and largest investor, reflecting the high quality of practical cooperation between the two countries.

This year, all the overseas Chinese in Tanzanian have made great efforts to forge ahead. You have been an important bridge of China-Tanzania friendship. And I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to all of you for firmly supporting the great cause of the peaceful reunification of the motherland, promoting the building of a powerful country and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, boosting local economic development, and making positive contributions to promoting China-Tanzania friendship and practical cooperation.

Distinguished guests, friends and compatriots!

2024 marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Tanzania, and the two countries will solemnly commemorate this important moment in the history of bilateral relations. The 60th anniversary of the China-Tanzania relations is not only a milestone, but also a new beginning.

In the new year, under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, the China-Tanzania comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership will move to a higher level, continue to write a new magnificent chapter, and bring more benefits to the development of the two countries and to the happiness of the peoples. I look forward to making the tree of China-Tanzania friendship more deeply rooted and fruitful together with you. 

In the new year, the embassy will, as always, closely unite all compatriots in Tanzania, resolutely shoulder the principle of diplomacy for the people, pass on the warmth of the CPC Central Committee to every overseas Chinese citizen, effectively protect their legitimate rights and interests, and strive to provide better consular services for all and to become a warm harbor for all!

The new year will be the Year of the Dragon, which is the totem of the Chinese nation. China has been lauded as the Oriental Dragon, while the Chinese people are known as the descendants of the dragon. The dragon symbolizes auspiciousness, success and vitality in Chinese culture. Let’s carry forward the China-Tanzania relations and create a more brilliant future together in the Year of the Dragon! With best wishes for a happy Chinese New Year!

Finally, I wish to propose a toast:

To the prosperity of China and Tanzania,

To the lasting friendship between China and Tanzania,

To a better tomorrow for a China-Africa community with a shared future,

To the health and happiness of all our guests.

Cheers!