The National Day of China was celebrated in Ljubljana on the evening of September 30th, 2025, and the grand reception organized by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Slovenia was attended by more than 200 distinguished guests from the Slovenian diplomatic community and representatives of various social, cultural, economic, and political spheres of Slovenia.
The Evening started with the projection of a fascinating short video about the Chinese civilization, capturing the attention of the present guests who could watch and listen to the story about China from ancient times to modern days – an artwork packed with special effects and state-of-the-art digital features, which made an indelible impression on all present guests.
The movie was followed by the speech by Mr. Zhao Binghui, Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Slovenia, which you can read below:
“Distinguished guests, dear friends, ladies and gentlemen, Good evening! We are gathered here today to celebrate the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. On behalf of the Embassy of China to the Republic of Slovenia, I would like to extend a warm welcome to all our guests and express my heartfelt appreciation to friends from all walks of life who have shown care and support for the development of China-Slovenia relations.
Over the past 76 years, under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), the Chinese people have successfully charted a path of socialism with Chinese characteristics that suits the country’s national conditions, embarking on a historic journey toward the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and creating two remarkable achievements: rapid economic growth and long-term social stability.
Particularly since the 18th CPC National Congress, we have built a moderately prosperous society in all respects, eradicated absolute poverty, and deepened reforms across the board—creating a development miracle that astounds the world.
China remains a steadfast force for global development. Despite the complex and changing international landscape, China’s economy has continued to maintain a steady and positive growth momentum. In the first half of this year, its GDP grew by 5.3%, surpassing 9.3 trillion US dollars, demonstrating strong resilience and vitality.
China is intensifying efforts to expand domestic demand, continuously unleashing the immense market potential of its 1.4 billion population. The digital economy and green industries are thriving, with a steady stream of innovative achievements emerging in areas such as quantum communication, new energy, and artificial intelligence. China is formulating its 15th Five-Year Plan, which will further advance high-quality development and high-level opening-up, offering fresh development and cooperation opportunities to countries around the world.
China remains a key pillar in upholding world peace. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, as well as the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. China is the main eastern theater of the World Anti-Fascist War. The Chinese people made tremendous national sacrifices and significant contributions to the victory over fascism worldwide.
On September 3, China held victory commemorations in Beijing to remember the history.
On September 17, the Chinese Embassy, in collaboration with the Siftar Foundation, held a tree-planting activity in Tisina, Prekmurje, and hosted a themed photo exhibition in Murska Sobota. We remember history not to perpetuate hatred, but to draw lessons from the past, cherish peace, and work together for a better future.
China will always be a force for peace, stability, and progress in the world. We stand ready to work with Slovenia and the rest of the international community to uphold the outcomes of World War II, safeguard historical justice, and defend peace and development.”
China remains a constructive driver in advancing global governance. In the face of mounting global challenges and a widening governance deficit, President Xi Jinping recently put forward the Global Governance Initiative in a solemn and timely manner. The initiative embodies five core concepts, namely, adhere to sovereign equality, abide by international law, practice multilateralism, advocate the people-centered approach, and focus on taking real actions. These concepts are fully aligned with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.
This marks another major initiative proposed by China following the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative. It represents China’s continued contribution of wisdom and solutions to strengthening and improving global governance.
China appreciates the constructive role that Slovenia has played during its tenure as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, particularly in upholding multilateralism, promoting equal dialogue, and opposing double standards.
China stands ready to strengthen cooperation with the international community, including Slovenia, to promote the building of a more just and equitable global governance system and to advance the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.
Over the 33 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Slovenia, we have mutually respected each other’s chosen paths of development, understood and supported each other’s core interests and major concerns, and upheld the principles of equality and mutual benefit. Our bilateral relationship has transcended differences in ideology and social systems, becoming a model of mutual respect and win-win cooperation among countries of different sizes and national conditions.”
In May of this year, H.E. Meira Hot, Vice President of the National Assembly of Slovenia, visited China to attend the 4th China-Central and Eastern European Countries Expo. In mid-September, Chinese Foreign Minister H.E. Wang Yi paid a successful visit to Slovenia. In November, H.E. Marko Lotric, President of the National Council of Slovenia, will lead a trade and economic delegation to China and attend the China International Import Expo in Shanghai. Before the end of the year, exchanges at all levels between the two sides will remain active.
As a Chinese saying goes, Frequent visits make relatives closer and friends more intimate. Even in today’s highly connected digital age, face-to-face exchanges and on-the-ground visits remain irreplaceable. We welcome more Slovenian friends to visit China, travel around the country, and gain a better understanding of the real China.
According to Slovenian statistics, our bilateral trade reached 7.3 billion euros in 2024. In the first half of this year alone, it grew by nearly 40%, with the full-year total expected to reach a new record. This fully demonstrates the strong economic complementarity between the two sides and the enormous potential for cooperation.
We hope both countries will continue to provide an open, fair, and non-discriminatory business environment for each other’s enterprises. We also encourage companies from both sides to explore new opportunities, at the bilateral level as well as within the framework of China-CEEC cooperation, further leverage their comparative advantages, and foster new highlights of cooperation in areas such as high-end manufacturing, technological innovation, healthcare, and green development. Such high-level, mutually beneficial cooperation will add new substance to the friendship between our two countries.
This year also marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment China-EU diplomatic ties. The differences between China and Europe in terms of systems are rooted in our distinct historical and cultural backgrounds. These are choices made by our respective peoples and should not be seen as grounds for rivalry. Both sides should view our differences with a constructive mindset, engage in mutual learning and exchange, and work together toward shared progress.
During the latest round of China-EU leadership meetings, President Xi Jinping emphasized that the future development of China-EU relations should adhere to the important principles and direction of mutual respect, seeking common ground while shelving differences, openness and cooperation, and mutual benefit.
China and Europe are two major forces in building a multi-polar world, two big markets supporting globalization, and two great civilizations advocating diversity. China and the EU should uphold the positioning of a comprehensive strategic partnership, strengthen cooperation on an ongoing basis, and jointly address global challenges.
In the face of a complex and turbulent international landscape, China is willing to work with Slovenia to continuously enhance mutual understanding and trust, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and inject greater stability into China-EU relations through the certainty of bilateral ties. I would like to once again express my heartfelt gratitude to our friends from all sectors in Slovenia, to the overseas Chinese, students and teachers studying in Slovenia, as well as personnel of Chinese institutions. I stand ready to work together with you to fully promote the continuous enhancement of political mutual trust, the expansion of economic and trade cooperation, and the deepening of cultural exchanges, so as to achieve more practical cooperation results.”
All the guests received a printed copy of the Amazing China magazine as well as Chinese Souvenirs, which will certainly make the memories of this splendid occasion last longer.
