（September 4, 2016）

Dear colleagues,

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Dear friends,

Good evening!

On this much-anticipated evening, we are gathered here by the West Lake on the occasion of the 11th G20 Summit. Let me extend, on behalf of the government and people of China and my wife, and also in my own name, the warmest welcome to all distinguished guests.

Known as “Paradise on Earth, ” Hangzhou boasts enchanting landscape and a rich cultural heritage. The Top Ten Scenic Spots of the West Lake each have their own unique charm, whether viewed up close or from a distance. Connecting them are the age-old and elegant bridges. The bridges are the very inspiration for the logo of this Summit.

The G20 too is a bridge that brings us together from different parts of the world. It is a bridge of friendship— here we sow the seeds of friendship across the world to enhance mutual trust and amity, and it brings us all ever closer. It is a bridge of cooperation — here we discuss plans, strengthen coordination and deepen cooperation for win-win outcomes. It is also a bridge leading to the future— from here we will forge ahead like passengers in the same boat, and embrace an ever brighter future.

Hangzhou has close ties with many of the countries represented here. Let me give you one or two examples.

In 1583, the Italian Matteo Ricci came to China, and in 1599, he noted down a Chinese saying, “Up in Heaven there is Paradise, down on Earth there are Suzhou and Hangzhou.” It is believed that he was the first Westerner to record the saying and make it known to the outside world.

Four hundred years ago, the German city of Krefeld started to trade silk with Hangzhou.

In June 1876, Mr. John Leighton Stuart, the former U.S. Ambassador to China, was born here in Hangzhou. He went on to live in China for more than 50 years, and was buried in Hangzhou.

In 1924, the Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore visited the West Lake. He liked the lake so much that he wrote many poems about it. One beautiful poem reads:

The hills are shrouded in mist and embraced by the lake at foot

The water is rippling gently with the breeze as if asking the hills to move

But the proud hills stand still.

Tagore also said he wanted to buy a lakeside cottage and spend some time there.

In October 1992, the late South African President Nelson Mandela visited Hangzhou. After a tour of the West Lake, he said that he could stay here for his entire life.

As we gather in Hangzhou, we carry on our shoulders high expectations from people all over the world.

——We have come here for a common mission. At this critical juncture for the world economy and international economic cooperation, it is imperative that the G20 take the lead and blaze a new trail in fostering an innovative, invigorated, interconnected and inclusive world economy, and a new round of robust growth.

——We have come here in pursuit of closer partnership. A spirit of partnership and solidarity in times of difficulty is the most-valued asset of the G20. We need to follow a win-win approach and work toward the long-term goal of boosting growth and development. It is crucial that we enhance mutual understanding, expand consensus, and form synergy.

——We have come here for the vision of a community of shared future for mankind. The world today is undergoing profound changes never seen before. The G20 is duty-bound to lead the world forward, drive global development, and make a greater contribution to the cause of common prosperity and human progress.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Dear friends,

The national conditions of the G20 members differ, and they are at different stages of development, just as Hangzhou's scenic locations vary from one another. The world economy expands and contracts, just like the changing weather at the West Lake. It is never easy to handle complexities, but as long as we rise above the floating clouds and look far, we will enjoy the beautiful view of hills and waters. As long as we accommodate each other and stick together, come rain or shine, we will make steady progress and reach our destination together.

It is autumn in Hangzhou, the season when one “visits a mountain temple seeking osmanthus flowers floating down from the moon / and ascends the Junting pavilion watching the rising tide of the Qiantang River.”[1] As the air is filled with the pleasant smell of osmanthus, we have started our productive discussions this afternoon, and I am sure that much can be expected from our meeting tomorrow. We are here by the side of the Qiantang River. The G20 should ride the tide of the world economy, set the pace for world development with our wisdom, and write a new chapter for global economic governance.

Now, please join me in a toast:

To a better future of the world economy,

To the G20 cooperation,

To the success of the Hangzhou Summit, and

To the health of all the distinguished guests and your families.

注释：

[1]See Memory of Jiangnan by Bai Juyi.Bai Juyi(772-846)was a famous Tang Dynasty poet, and once served as the mayor of Hangzhou.