Dear Secretary General Mr. Pavol Sýkorčin,

Dear Members of the National Council,

Your Excellencies,

Dear representatives of Chinese compatriots in Slovakia, Chinese-funded enterprises, Chinese teachers and students,

Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends,

Good evening! I would like to extend gratitude to everyone present at my farewell reception. I am about to end my mission as the Chinese ambassador to the Slovak Republic and return to China soon, so I take the opportunity to bid farewell to you all.

Looking back on the three and a half years in Slovakia, what impressed me the most is the long-standing traditional friendship between China and Slovakia. I assumed my duties as the Chinese ambassador to the Slovak Republic in February 2020. While the COVID-19 is raging, inspired by the friendship between our people to help each other in times of difficulty, I become quite confident about my mission here.

The Slovak government provided us with assistance in transfering anti-COVID-19 materials by charter flights, and Slovak friends from all walks of life provided a large amount of materials for China. China then reciprocated by assisting Slovakia in raising and transporting more than 100 tons of materials, and actively shared our experience in fighting COVID-19 with Slovakia.

Last February, the Slovak central, local government and non-governmental organizations offered great support to China in evacuating more than 500 Chinese citizens from Ukraine via Slovakia back to China. Among them is a pregnant woman who gave birth to a baby after being evacuated to Slovakia and asked me to name her baby. I named the boy "Nian Nian", which means memory and gratitude in Chinese. I hope he will always remember the selfless assistance from the Slovak people and our bilateral friendship. There are many other similar examples of friendship between our countries. I firmly believe that this traditional friendship is an inexhaustible impetus for the continuous development of China-Slovakia relations at any time.

Dear friends,

Over the past three and a half years, we have jointly witnessed the steady development of political exchanges between China and Slovakia. Especially since this year, offline bilateral exchanges at all levels have rapidly resumed to normal. In April, Speaker of the Slovak National Council H.E. Mr. Boris Kollár paid a successfull visit to China. In May,  the China-Slovakia political consultation at the vice foreign ministerial level was held in Beijing, and all those exchanges offer positive energy for the development of our bilateral relations.

Over the past three and a half years, we have jointly participated in the continuous expansion of pragmatic cooperation between China and Slovakia. Boosted the "Belt and Road" Initiative and the "China-Central and Eastern European Countries Cooperation" mechanisms, our bilateral   economic and trade cooperation level has continuously improved. In 2022, the bilateral trade volume reached a record number of US$ 12.15 billion. Agricultural and food products such as the bombus terrestris, dairy products, etc. have entered the Chinese market. Slovak wine, crystal wares are favored by more and more Chinese consumers.

China's  investment in Slovakia has amounted to US$ 540 million, and more and more Chinese companies are active in paying field visits to Slovakia. I went to the eastern part of Slovakia to inspect the multimodal transport station. I visited Dunajská Streda to welcome the arrival of the China-Europe Railway Express, and signed the protocol on the export of Slovak mutton to China. Through those events I attended in person, I could feel that our bilateral economic and trade cooperation has bright prospects and unlimited potential.

Over the past three and a half years, we have jointly experienced the wonderful cultural exchanges between our two countries. China and Slovakia have been sending students to each other every year through scholarship programs. The bilingual class at the Gymnázium Mikuláša Kováča (high school) in Banská Bystrica has become a pioneering example of cooperation in Chinese language teaching in Slovakia and in central Europe. 

Several books of Slovak translations of the Chinese masterpieces by the sinologist Mrs. Marina Čarnogurská have been published. Events such as the "Chinese Bridge" competition and "A Taste of Spring" tea ceremony are very popular among Slovak friends. At this moment, Slovak athletes are participating in the World University Games in Chengdu, China. And since October, we will organize the "International Touring Exhibition of Chinese Traditional Art", the children's illustration exhibition, the "Joyful Spring Festival" and other activities, which will gradually stir up the Chinese cultural fever here.

Ladies and gentlemen,

We attach great importance to the development of China-Slovakia relations and are willing to work with the Slovak side to promote traditional friendship, deepen practical cooperation and strengthen cultural exchanges for the benefits of people. I am honored to be able to participate in the development process of China-Slovakia relations as the Chinse ambassador to Slovakia, which is one of the most valuable experiences in my diplomatic career. I will always be a supporter and promoter of China-Slovakia friendship and will continue making contributions.

Dear friends,

Three and a half years have flown by, and those will be my most precious and fondest memories. I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the Slovak government, the Slovak national council, the business community, the media, think tanks and friends from all circles, for your support and assistance in promoting the China-Slovakia relationship to what it is today. I would also like to sincerely thank the Chinese compatriots in Slovakia, Chinese-funded enterprises, Chinese teachers and students for your strong support to our embassy and myself. I hope that everyone will continue working hard or studying hard, and continue playing a role as the bridge for exchanges between China and Slovakia in various fields. I would also like to express gratitude towards your excellencies, all the ambassadors in Slovakia. I appreciate your kind support and cooperation.  

Thank you all!