Excellencies,

Esteemed guests,

It’s a great honour for me to celebrate the Day of German Unity with you this afternoon.

We’re celebrating slightly ahead of time – our national holiday is actually not until next week – but we decided to invite you to come here today on account of the upcoming Chinese holidays and the wonderful weather.

We also owe the success of this evening to our sponsors, who have supported us so generously.

On 3 October, we remember the day when German unity was restored 36 years ago. I vividly recall the year between November 1989 and October 1990, during which the unification of the two German states became a reality. I was a student at the time and, like many of my fellow citizens, I was astounded by the pace of events. Looking back, the most surprising thing was the fact that something that seemed immutable for so long could suddenly change fundamentally.

On 3 October 1990, two German states became one. And almost no one from my generation would have thought this possible. We’re grateful for that to this day.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Celebrating with all of you today is also an honour for me because this is the first time that I’m doing so as Germany’s Ambassador to China. I have been in this fascinating country for just over a week. Even in this short time, I’ve experienced a great deal: the sheer scale, the modernity, but also the captivating history of Beijing – a city that offers such a wealth of both ancient and modern. I’m currently discovering Chinese art and architecture, Chinese cuisine and, above all, Chinese tea. I’m very much looking forward to getting to know as much of the People’s Republic as possible – its unique ancient history and culture, but also the China of today with its cities and landscapes.

The better my team and I are acquainted with and understand China, the better we can fulfil the purpose for which we’re here, namely to positively develop and shape the diverse and good relations between China and Germany.

Our economic ties will immediately spring to mind for most people. Approximately 5000 German companies are doing business in China, many of which are represented here this evening. Many find themselves in a different role today than was the case just a few years ago. Chinese customers and partners have increasingly become global competitors –an impressive development, but one that isn’t easy for many German businesses. On the other hand, this also creates new markets for German technology and services.

We want this cooperation, and we want a level playing field and reliable framework conditions. And I’m here to do my utmost together with you to shape these framework conditions to our mutual benefit. I’m saying this here as the German Ambassador, but also as a committed representative of a member state of the European Union – a community of close partners and friends that has shaped and formed my country like no other.

Our relations extend far beyond business, however. I’m particularly looking forward to further developing our long-standing and vibrant ties in the fields of culture and education. The Goethe-Institut and the German Academic Exchange Service are brands that have long been well known here in China. Furthermore, we have numerous partnerships between museums and universities – Berlin’s Humboldt-Universität and Peking University are celebrating the 40^th anniversary of their partnership this year.

Ladies and gentlemen,

We’re currently living in turbulent times all around the world. Many developments are filling us with concern in Germany, Europe and China. Diplomacy, indeed the relations between states and people, is perhaps more important than ever.

German unity was certainly a fundamental change to the European political order. But it happened peacefully: thanks to the will of the people, thanks to diplomacy and negotiations, and, ultimately, thanks to agreements that were supported by all parties involved. And, for that reason, it was undoubtedly a positive change.

Today, on the other hand, we’re witnessing a terrible war in Europe. With its attack on Ukraine, Russia has violated fundamental principles of the Charter of the United Nations – sovereignty, territorial integrity and the prohibition of the use of force. Russia’s war of aggression has now been going on for four and a half years and has claimed well over a million victims. It has inflicted terrible suffering on a sovereign country, Ukraine, with relentless and inhumane warfare. Its impacts have been felt across an entire continent – with refugee flows as well as hybrid warfare waged by Russia in many European countries, including my own. It has brought instability and fragility to our daily lives as well, which is why we’re also thinking of our friends in Ukraine today. Germany stands firmly by their side.

Ladies and gentlemen,

We shouldn’t forget that the lesson from 1990 is that change for the better is possible. And this lesson should be a source of hope for us.

At any rate, I’m very pleased to help shape relations between Germany and China in this spirit. And now let’s raise our glasses together – to our friendship and cooperation! To your health.

Thank you very much.