On 25 September 2026, the Chinese Embassy in the UK hosted a reception in celebration of the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Chinese Ambassador to the UK Zheng Zeguang delivered a speech. Baroness Winterton, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, delivered remarks on behalf of the UK government. Over 500 guests attended the event, including people from different sectors in the UK, diplomatic envoys of various countries, and representatives of the Chinese community, Chinese-funded institutions and Chinese students in the UK.
Ambassador Zheng expressed his sincere thanks to people from all walks of life for their longstanding support for the development of China-UK relations, and extended National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival greetings. He reviewed the remarkable achievements made since the founding of New China 77 years ago, pointing out that under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China, the Chinese people, united as one, have worked diligently and achieved the twin miracles of rapid economic growth and enduring social stability. Today, the Chinese people are marching forward on the new journey of Chinese modernisation. The great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is unfolding with irresistible momentum and showing unprecedentedly bright prospects.
Ambassador Zheng pointed out that Chinese modernisation has brought epoch-making changes to the country and greatly improved its people’s lives. This year marks the beginning of the 15th Five-Year Plan. Facing a complex and turbulent external environment, China’s economy has continued to make progress, with new drivers, higher quality and better results. From the “new three” that have seen strong export growth in recent years, i.e. new energy vehicles (NEVs), lithium-ion batteries and photovoltaic panels, to the “new new three” of AI products, robots and innovative drugs that are rapidly gaining popularity overseas, China’s technological innovation and industrial upgrading are advancing rapidly and becoming tangible new drivers of growth.
He stressed that China is committed to expanding high-standard opening up and sharing development opportunities with countries around the world. Chinese modernisation has continued to inject positive energy into a turbulent world. Against the backdrop of accelerating global transformation unseen in a century, China will continue to stand on the right side of history, and champion an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalisation. China stands ready to work with all countries to implement the four global initiatives, advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and build a community with a shared future for humanity.
Ambassador Zheng noted that Chinese modernisation has continued to open up new prospects for the development of China-UK relations. Cooperation between China and the UK serves the fundamental interests of the two peoples and is conducive to world peace, stability and development. Earlier this month, President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Andy Burnham had a very positive telephone conversation. The two leaders reached important common understandings on staying committed to building a long-term and consistent comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, including through strengthening high-level interactions and cooperation and collaboration across different areas. The Chinese side is ready to work closely with the UK side to follow through on the common understandings reached by the two leaders and promote the sustained, sound and steady development of China-UK relations by enhancing mutual respect and mutual trust, expanding practical cooperation, strengthening communication and mutual learning, and strengthening multilateral collaboration.
“Chinese Modernisation in Action” and some other short videos showcasing China’s achievements in economic and social development were screened at the reception. Artists from China and the UK, together with a joint choir made up of members of the Chinese Embassy Choir, the Bank of China London Branch Choir, the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China London Branch Choir, and the London Chinese Philharmonic Choir, gave brilliant performances.
The reception was held in a warm and friendly atmosphere. The guests spoke highly of the historic achievements made over the 77 years since the founding of New China, shared their confidence in the broad prospects for China-UK cooperation, and expressed their readiness to make new contributions to promoting China-UK exchanges and cooperation in various fields and enhancing mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples.
