On 7 Januray 2025, H.E. Ambassador Zheng Zeguang hosted a Chinese New Year reception for representatives of British experts, British members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE), and vice chancellors of British universities and delived some remarks. The full text of the remarks is as follows:

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Good evening!

I would like to thank you for attending tonight’s reception. Today is what we in China call the Laba Day. According to ancient tradition, the Chinese New Year begins after Laba. From Laba on, the Chinese people will carry out a month-long Spring Festival celebration.

This is a time for family reunion and get-together with friends. It is all about celebrating the past year and embracing the new one. So, this is the right moment to be with you, outstanding academicians, scientists and educators.

I want to say a big thank you for your hard work in promoting educational and sci-tech exchanges and collaboration with China and your contributions to China-UK relations. And I also would like to send sincere wishes for the new year to people from the wider British educational and scientific communities who have been supporting China-UK cooperation.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Over the past year, in the face of multiple challenges, we have made solid gains in pursuing high-quality development. China's economy has rebounded and is on an upward trajectory, with its GDP for the year expected to pass 130 trillion yuan, and an annual growth rate of about 5%. And China remains the key engine for global economic growth.

We have made new progress in promoting educational and sci-tech development in the country. China is speeding up work to upgrade and strengthen its large education system, with a number of universities and disciplines ranking among the top in the world.

As a result of China's efforts to foster new quality productive forces, new industries and new modes of business have kept emerging. For the first time, China has produced more than 10 million new energy vehicles in a year. Breakthroughs have also been made in integrated circuit, AI, quantum communications, etc.

Education, science and technology, and talent function as basic and strategic underpinnings for Chinese modernisation. Now we are implementing the decisions of the third plenum of the 20th CPC Central Committee and strengthening education in order to boost the overall performance of our country’s innovation system.

Confucius said: “When walking with two other people, I can always learn something from them.” China is committed to openness and collaboration, has carried out educational exchanges with more than 180 countries, and stands ready to work with all to create an open, equitable and non-discriminatory environment for scientific and technological development, and to work towards sci-tech achievements shared by all.

Ladies and gentlemen,

As we speak, the world is undergoing deep transformation and increasing volatility. In the meantime, humanity is facing severe common challenges such as climate change, natural disasters, and infectious diseases.

Farsighted scientists and educators from all countries should persist in exchanges and collaboration, reject those clamours from some countries for creation of small yards with high fences, the weaponisation of sci-tech and disruption of international exchanges, and work together to find solutions to these common challenges.

The UK was among the first Western countries to conduct  exchanges and cooperation with new China in the fields of education, and science and technology. The UK started welcoming Chinese students on government scholarships to study here in 1957 and the two countries signed the China-UK Sci-tech Cooperation Agreement in 1978.

Facts from over half a century fully show that both countries stand to gain from this partnership if we continue to deepen exchanges and cooperation. 11.4% of the UK's academic papers are completed in cooperation with China. 24.8% of the co-authored papers between the two sides have a citation impact of twice the world average in the past five years.

Currently, there are 200,000 Chinese students studying in the UK, and every year, around 12,000 British students go to China for long-term or short-term studies. These students are not only real pillars of our national development, but also goodwill ambassadors connecting the two peoples.

With the Young Envoys Scholarship Programme launched in London not long ago, we welcome more British scientists and educators to actively carry out cooperation with their Chinese partners, and encourage more British scholars and students to go to China for studies and exchanges.

Ladies and gentlemen,

As permanent members of the UN Security Council and major economies, China and the UK shoulder special responsibilities for world peace, stability and development.

Over recent months, thanks to the joint efforts of both sides, there has been new progress in China-UK relations.

President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Keir Starmer had a successful meeting in Brazil. Foreign Secretary David Lammy made a productive visit to China.

China and the UK are going to hold a new round of Economic and Financial Dialogue, and are exploring to reactivate intergovernmental dialogue in various areas including education, science and technology, energy, and climate change.

Both sides need to act upon the important common understandings reached between our leaders, uphold mutual respect, focus on mutually-beneficial cooperation, manage differences properly, and work to build a stable and mutually-beneficial partnership.

In this process, your role, as educators and scientists, will be fundamental and instrumental. That is why I salute your positive contributions to China-UK educational and sci-tech cooperation, and hope that you will continue to support the development of China-UK relations and enhance the friendship of the two peoples.

Ladies and gentlemen,

In the Chinese zodiac culture, Snake symbolises good luck, longevity and auspiciousness. So, in the spirit of the Chinese New Year, I wish you all and your family happiness, success and good health in the Year of the Snake.