Honorable Leaders and Senior Officials

of the State and City Governments,

Honorable Members of the Illinois General Assembly,

Officials of the US State Department's Office in Chicago,

Colleagues of the Consular Corps,

Friends from the Chinese and other communities,

Distinguished Guests,Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good evening.

It's my great pleasure to host this reception celebrating the 66th Anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. First, I wish to express my warmest welcome and sincere thanks to all of you for your kind attendance. In particular, my thanks go to those friends who have traveled a long way to be here this evening.

This reception is held at a special moment in China-US relations. As you know, Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is paying his first state visit to the US, has arrived in Washington D.C. today and is meeting with President Obama right now.

This visit, building on the summit at Annenberg Estate between our two Presidents in June, 2013 and President Obama's visit to China last November, will lay out the blueprint for the future development of China-US relations and inject new impetus to building a new model of major-country relationship between our two countries.

Standing here, I am encouraged not only by the many concrete achievements in the China-US relationship as well as in China's relationship with the nine states of our consular district, but also by the great potential for bilateral cooperation in extensive areas. With our joint efforts, the mutually beneficial cooperation between our two countries will certainly bear out more fruits in the years to come.

Looking back at China's domestic achievements this year, I am happy to mention that China has maintained a steady economic growth and the upgrading of its economic structure has been accelerated, which really didn't come easy in view of the complicated domestic and international economic situations. Although the downward pressure is still huge, the Chinese Government is well prepared for that with adequate policy tools at its disposal and firm determination to carry on its ambitious program of deepening reforms. China has full confidence in maintaining a medium high growth for a long period ahead, which will continue to provide stong driving force for China-US cooperation in many fields.

Now I would like to propose a toast,

to the success of President Xi Jinping's visit to the US,

to the prosperity of the People's Republic of China and the United States of America,and

to the health of all the distinguished guests present,

Cheers!