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Prime Minister Theresa May: I would like to start by welcoming everybody here to Number 10 Downing Street – my office but also my home. And it’s wonderful to see so many people here and to see the building so beautifully decorated, actually, for Chinese New Year. And I’m delighted that Chinese New Year is a firm fixture in this house, just as it is across Britain and across the world.

Beginning of the Year of the Rooster, more specifically the Year of the Fire Rooster, which I’m told comes every 60 years. Our ambition is a great meritocracy here, to make Britain a country where whoever you are, whatever your background, you can go as far as your talents will take you. And I think that in the British Chinese community, we have an excellent example. Ever since the first Chinese settlers came to this country, in the port cities of Liverpool, Cardiff and London, you’ve been an exemplar of integration and success. Chinese enterprise, from food to finance, manufacturing to the arts, is a successful mainstay of the British economy.

We want to follow that example, to emulate that success for everyone so that whoever they are, they’re able to reach their potential.

Dr. Yuelai Lu: It’s great to be here to attend this Prime Minister’s party to celebrate the Chinese New Year. I think the UK-China relationship is a very important one.

Dr. Wei Sun: This is a privilege. I’m very happy. I think the member of our community would be happy as well. It’s fantastic.

Sir Martin Davidson: I think having the Prime Minister supporting the relationship between China and the UK, in this way, is really important. I think it’s important for Chinese people here and it’s certainly important, I think, for people back in China when they see the importance we attach to the relationship with China.

Wendy Choi: My name is Wendy Choi and I do a lot of volunteer work. I feel humble and honored to receive this award. Thank you for the Prime Minister and thank you for the Points of Light to recognise me.

Prime Minister Theresa May: So as we end the Year of the Fire Monkey, a year in which I was born, let us welcome the Year of the Fire Rooster, approach it with that openness, confidence, hard work and leadership, build that global Britain and great meritocracy, growing our relationship, our strategic partnership with China and emulating the successes of the British Chinese community as we do so. And let me wish you and your families a very happy and healthy New Year.

Xin Nian Kuai Le.