Your Excellency Major General Michael Beary, UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander

Esteemed Brigadier General Henry Saykali, on behalf of South Litani Sector

Esteemed Mr. Mohamad Jaffal, Tyre District Commissioner

Esteemed Hassan Dbouk, President of the Tyre Union of Municipalities

Dear friends, good afternoon,

On the eve of the traditional Chinese Spring Festival, the Ministry of Culture of the People’s Republic of China, the Embassy of PRC and the Chinese peace-keeping forces in UNIFIL host this “HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR” performance and celebrate the coming of new year. We are glad to meet our friends at CHINBATT, savor the Chinese culture, talk about the past and the present, welcome the advent of spring. I would like to extend our warm welcome to every friend present, and to extend new year greetings to all ranks of Chinese peace-keeping forces in UNIFIL.

Spring Festival is the day to review one’s achievements in the past year. 2017 is no ordinary year for Lebanon. We are gratified to witness the general political stability, the improving of security and economic situations. This security and stability can never be achieved without the important contribution of UNIFIL forces. I hereby want to pay our sincere tribute to Gen Beary and all the ranks of UNIFIL troops.

China firmly supports the efforts of Lebanon to maintain national independence, security and stability, firmly supports the missions of UNIFIL. In the past 12 years, for the peace in this area, Chinese peace-keeping forces, staff officers and observers, under the framework of UN, well coordinated and cooperated with the Lebanese government and the troops of every nation in UNIFIL, successfully fulfilling the tasks of blue line survey, demining, construction, medical aid and other humanitarian services. At this moment, with their concrete actions, the 16th batch of Chinese peace-keeping forces is practicing the sacred mission of maintaining world peace, making their share of contribution to the security of Lebanon and the region.

Spring Festival is also the day to make plans for the coming year. As Socialism with Chinese Characteristics entering into a new era, China will make new progress and contribute more to the world and the mankind. We are looking forward, in the new year, to the strengthening of mutual beneficial cooperation between China and Lebanon, the enhancing of joint efforts under the “Road and Belt Initiative”, and the further consolidation of security and stability in Lebanon and the region as a whole. We wish to join hands with Lebanon and contribute our share in creating a secure, stable, prosperous and harmonious national and regional situation. We will continue to support UNIFIL troops in the fulfilling their duties, and we are ready to do more for the peace-keeping missions of UNIFIL.

On the eve of the Chinese New Year, I sincerely hope that the Chinese peace-keeping forces in UNIFIL makes concerted efforts with the Lebanese government, the people and other members in this big UNIFIL family, sharing weal and woe, learning from each other, boosting exchanges and mutual-trust. A new year and a new era will certainly bring new achievements. We are confident the Chinese peace-keeping forces in UNIFIL will further promote the friendship between China, Lebanon and the other nations, and make new contributions to the enduring peace and stability in south Lebanon and the region.

I wish every friend a happy new year with good health and best of luck!

Thank you!