Danilo Turk

Slovenian diplomat, professor of international law, human rights expert, and political figure who served as president of Slovenia from 2007 to 2012.

This year the Communist Party of China celebrates its centennial. I congratulate the CPC for the historic achievements and for the gigantic contribution that China-under the leadership of President Xi Jinping-is making to the progress of the world.

In the past seven decades, China was transformed from a predominantly agricultural society into an industrial and post-industrial giant. The past four decades, the period known as the time of reform and opening-up has been particularly impressive.

Extreme poverty was eliminated and standards of living have been improving. The development process of China has put people first, continuously improving people's livelihood and opening new avenues of progress. Today it has a leading role in the world.

About 20 years ago, I worked as assistant secretary-general of the United Nations and I have followed the development of China closely. The leaders of China told the United Nations that China will make a major contribution to the implementation of the global development goals, the United Nations Millennium Development goals.

And indeed China made a decisive contribution.

In every meeting we, the officials of the United Nations, had with the leaders of China, we admired their commitment to results and to global progress.

Progress of China has transformed the world.