Thursday, 12 September 2013
ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDENT VELJANOSKI ON THE OCCASION OF THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY SINCE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS BETWEEN THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA AND PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
Your Excellency, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China
Distinguished MPs,
Ladies and gentlemen,
It is my sincere honour and pleasure to address you at such an important occasion such as the marking of the 20th anniversary since the establishment of the diplomatic relations between the Republic of Macedonia and the People’s Republic of China. Allow me to immediately underline that the relations between the two friendly states are continuously progressing and are characterised with atmosphere of mutual respect and constant tendency to promote the atmosphere in all areas.
Few years ago, during my visit to China, at the prestigious Shanghai Expo, I had an immediate opportunity to see the daily grand steps forward of the society of China. I will always remember the impressive business atmosphere that I found during my visit. China indeed is a grand state with grand potential. 
But, the daily commitment to the high dynamics of development, when the most numerous nation is considered, is, in my opinion, benefit from the extraordinary efforts of the China’s leadership, but also of the long tradition and wisdom arising from the centuries long state.
A Chinese saying reads that every era has a hero. I can freely say that the time of China on the world economic scene, shoulder to shoulder to the other world entities, has come. The 7 miles step made by the Chinese economy for a longer period of time at the global scene made it a serious factor and partner in the creation of the global flows of the world. These impressive development results make our friendship and cooperation more necessary and more welcomed.
Certainly it is the best when we share good experiences and learn from each other in good events, examples and situations. But, there are tragedies and painful events in life, and both, China and Macedonia were strongly hit by natural disasters, in Skopje and in Sichuan. These grand catastrophic events took many victims and properties, but they were also a motive for mutual development and exercising the solidarity, assistance and overall rehabilitation of influenced people. This is a motive for development of the construction skills and immediate cooperation in this area.
Today, at this jubilee occasion on which we are marking the two decades since the establishment of the diplomatic relations and the immediate cooperation between the two friendly nations, we have a beautiful opportunity to be acquainted with the beautiful handwork of the ladies from the minority of Chiang from the Wenchuan County. 
This unique hand work is very close to our national hand craft, deeply rooted in the history, incorporating traces and layers from different eras and cultures. The establishment of the embroidery into a special folk art certainly is the result of the collective artistic potentials of the environment it was created in. In this regard, both, the Macedonian and the embroidery of Chiang, are clear witnesses of the artistic exceptionality and excellence of its creators.
Finally, before wishing you successful exhibition, allow me to once again wish many years of fruitful cooperation and friendship between the two nations, two states, the Republic of Macedonia and People’s Republic of China.
Thank you.