Fifth, we have played a constructive role in?addressing?global challenges and exhibited a strong sense of responsibility and mission as a major country.?With regard to the Ukraine crisis, we have consistently upheld the fundamental principles of objectivity and impartiality, without favoring one side or the other, or adding fuel to the fire, still less seeking selfish gains?from?the situation. We have?kept to the right direction of promoting peace talks, searched for a solution that addresses both symptoms and root causes of the issue, and stood firm as an anchor of peace?instead of?fanning the flame of the conflict. Following the outbreak of the crisis, President Xi Jinping put forward four points about what must be done?and four things the international community must do together. He emphasized that conflicts and wars?produce no winner, there is no simple solution to a complex issue,?and confrontation between major countries must be avoided. China has been playing a constructive role in its own way to promote peace talks and help ease?the?humanitarian crises.

Whenever a developing country?encountered?difficulties, China has reached out to them with a helping hand and shown empathy. China has implemented the G20's?Debt Service Suspension Initiative (DSSI) in all respects?and contributed the largest deferral amount under the G20 Common Framework. We have proposed?a?G20 Action Plan on Digital Innovation and Cooperation, which is designed?to narrow the North-South digital divide and improve the capability of sustainable development of developing countries.

In the face of?common challenges for humanity, we have?never failed to take on our responsibility and?have always?come up with our own?proposals. In response to the rising challenges to global security, China has worked actively for a joint statement of leaders of the five nuclear-weapon states on?preventing nuclear wars, which was issued as a result. In response to the raging global food and energy crises, China has?called for building a global partnership for economic recovery and put forward the International Cooperation Initiative on Global Food Security. In response to climate change, China has steadfastly pursued green, low-carbon and sustainable development,?and actively fostered a fair and equitable system of global climate governance for win-win cooperation. This is a clear demonstration of China's readiness to shoulder its responsibility as a major country and play an exemplary role.

Sixth, we have not been intimidated by any hegemonic power or its bullying, and have acted resolutely to safeguard China's core interests and national dignity.?The Taiwan question is at the very core of China's core interests. It is the bedrock of the political foundation of China-US relations, and a red line that must not be crossed in China-US relations. In response to?US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's provocative visit?to the Taiwan region of China in disregard of China's stern warnings, we have taken?firm and resolute measures, which have strongly deterred anti-China elements in the United States?and the "Taiwan independence"?forces, and fully demonstrated our iron?will in?safeguarding?national sovereignty and security. Over 170 countries and international organizations have expressed support and recognition of the one-China principle. Governments, political parties and parliaments of more than 100 countries and multiple international organizations have made public statements to demonstrate their understanding and support of?China's measures to uphold national sovereignty. As countries?that stand?in solidarity?with China?on the Taiwan question represent?over 80 percent of the global population, it is a strong indication of unequivocal commitment of the international community to the?one-China principle.

In response to?the attempts?of a few countries?to smear?China by means of concocted stories about?Xinjiang and human rights issues, we have debunked lies and false narratives?by presenting the facts. We have invited the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and many international representatives to Xinjiang. We have foiled the repeated anti-China attempts of the United States?and?its?Western allies at?the United Nations. The support for China's justified?position from over 100 countries has been overwhelming. A lot of developing countries highlight it as not only China's victory, but also the victory of all developing countries, and the victory of international fairness and justice.

We have also exposed the false narrative of "democracy versus authoritarianism",?making clear?their?real intention is to?stoke confrontation between countries, divide the international community, and interfere?in other countries'?internal affairs in the name of so-called "democracy". We have?explained to the world?how and why our whole-process people's democracy?works in China, upheld the true democratic spirit, promoted a right perception of democracy?in a bid?to?distinguish right from wrong and truth from falsehood. The world does not accept any monopoly on the definition of democracy, and the calls against drawing ideological faultlines?are getting stronger.

Seventh, we have?created new momentum in?opening-up?and external cooperation, which affords great opportunities for world economic recovery.?Despite growing risks in the world economy and surging undercurrents of protectionism, China has opened its door even wider to the world and never stopped?deepening its external cooperation.

Over the year, we have opened our arms wider to embrace the world. From the World Economic Forum to the China International Import Expo (CIIE), President Xi Jinping has sent a strong message of promoting economic globalization and announced new steps to expand higher-standard opening-up. The fifth CIIE has attracted enthusiastic?participation, and new achievements were made in the China International Fair for Trade in Services, the China Import and Export Fair and the China International Consumer Products Expo. To invest in China is to invest in the future?–?this has become a view widely shared by people around the world. With the negative list for foreign investment further shortened, the Hainan Free Trade Port setting sail, and the development of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor moving forward at a faster pace, a new structure of all-round?opening-up?that coordinates the coastal and inland areas and connects the eastern and western regions is taking shape.

Over?the?year, we have achieved swift and steady progress in advancing high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and delivered successful outcomes. In the first 11 months of this year, China's trade with Belt and Road partners grew by 20.4?percent?despite the downward trends elsewhere. The China-Europe Railway Express completed a record number of services, showing strong resilience. A large number of signature projects made important advances: the first high-speed railway in ASEAN made its trial run; the first expressway in Cambodia is now up and running; the China-Laos railway, which had already been put into operation, has delivered remarkable performance; and the Budapest-Belgrade railway and the Pelje?ac Bridge in Croatia have effectively improved local transportation. China signed Belt and Road cooperation documents with another five countries this year, making the Belt and Road family a big gathering of 150 countries and 32 international organizations. This marks a new height in international economic cooperation, and serves as a new engine driving the development of all countries.

Eighth, we have acted on the commitment of serving the people through diplomacy, and worked with all our hearts, minds and strength to protect the interests of Chinese nationals abroad.?We in the diplomatic service have always put the people front and center and put actions behind the purpose of whole-heartedly serving the people.

Ever since the turn of events in Ukraine, the CPC Central Committee and the State Council have been highly concerned about the safety and security of Chinese nationals in Ukraine. President?Xi Jinping has?taken up the matter personally on a number of occasions?and demanded an all-out effort to ensure the safety?and security?of Chinese nationals.?China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has activated its consular emergency response mechanism?at the first instance?and carried out emergency evacuation, ensuring the safe transfer of over 5,200 Chinese nationals amid the on-going warfare. We have?promptly?responded to a series of emergencies around the world, issued timely safety alerts, evacuated Chinese from high-risk areas, and spared no effort in rescuing Chinese hostages. With concrete actions?on the ground, we have shown every one of our compatriots overseas that however far you are away from home, the motherland will always come to take you home in times of need.

We have rolled out an upgraded Spring Sprout program around the world to vaccinate over 4.6 million Chinese nationals living and working in 180 countries. We have continued to deliver Spring Festival kits and health kits, and arranged to bring home Chinese citizens?who were?stranded abroad and in dire?need?of help. We have continued to improve consular services, and launched the building of a consular information system to make services at our diplomatic and consular?missions readily accessible at fingertips. Our consular protection hotline 12308 has operated 24/7, and handled nearly 500,000 calls throughout the year. No matter where our overseas compatriots are, consular protection will always be there for them. We will never stop serving the people through diplomatic work. The care and love of the motherland will always be around.