On 30th September 2014, Mr. Wen Zhenshun, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to the Republic of Macedonia hosted a reception to celebrate the 65th Anniversary of the foundation of the PR China in Hotel Aleksandar Palace, Skopje. The event commenced in the sonorous national anthems of the two countries played by the Military Band of the Army of the Republic Macedonia. Around 400 guests attend the great celebration. Among them were President Gjorge Ivanov, Speaker Trajko Veljanovski, Deputy Prime Minister Musa Xhaferi, Foreign Minister Nikola Poposki, Defence Minister Zoran Jolevski, Transport Minister Mile Janalieski, Health Minister Nikola Todorov, Chief of General Staff Lt. Gen. Gorancho Koteski, Mayor of Skopje Mr. KOCE TRAJANOVSKI, Mayor of Tetovo Mrs. Teuta Arifi, Mayor of Ohrid Mr. Nikola Bakracheski, Chairperson of the Cultural Committee of the Assembly and the Parliamentary Group of the Assembly of the RM with Parliament of the PRC Mrs. Silvana Boneva, and other dignitaries of Macedonia, foreign diplomats, friends from different sectors of the society, representatives of Chinese institutions, and overseas Chinese in Macedonia.

 

 

Ambassador Wen began his speech with a brief introduction on the great economic and social achievements that China had made in the past 65 years since the founding of a new China, especially in the 36 years after the reforms and opening-up. He specified the efforts that China had adopted to further deepen reforms and expand opening-up after the 34d Plenary Session of the 18th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, and new approaches to promote "The Silk Road Economic Belt" and "the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road". Ambassador said, during the four months after he came to Macedonia, he was deeply impressed by the fact that the bilateral ties between China and Macedonia are now at their best in history. The two countries have maintained close high-level contacts, the economic and trade cooperation keeps growing, cultural and educational exchanges are intensifying. The Embassy of the PRC wishes, with the mutual efforts, to push the bilateral cooperation to the fullest potential in the framework of the cooperation between China- Eastern and Central European countries. By this means, China will further promote bilateral economic and trade ties, intensify non-government exchanges, with an aim that the traditional friendship will last from generation to generation, and bring benefits to the peoples of the two countries.

 

 

President Ivanov presented his warm congratulations to Ambassador Wen on the 65th Anniversary of the Foundation of the PRC. He said, his heart was linked with the Chinese people. He was very pleased to witness that the friendly cooperation between Macedonia and China had made great progress not only in political and economic sectors but also in cultural, educational and other fields. He expressed his gratitude for China's great support to Macedonia's social and economic development.

 

 

During the reception, the Military Band of the ARM performed the Chinese folk music Jasmine, Happiness and Merry Season, together with Macedonian folk music Jovano Jovanke, We Have One Name and a medley of other folk songs. The audience rewarded the great performance with long and warm applause. They were also attracted to the short documentary introducing the natural landscape and great projects of modern China. They were amazed by the long history, rich cultural heritage and great achievements of economic-social development. Most of them expressed their wish to visit China in the future. The diplomats of the Chinese Embassy talked cordially with the guests on the bright future of bilateral cooperation. The reception was permeated with a warm and friendly atmosphere.