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H.E. Mr. M. V. Rajasekharan, Minister of State for Planning,
Respected Prof. I. N. Choudhari, Academic Director of IGNCA,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
To celebrate the 55th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of India, the Chinese Embassy in India and the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts are jointly presenting a photographic exhibition 'Rediscover China'. May I first extend, on behalf of the Chinese Embassy, my warmest welcome to H.E. Mr. M. V. Rajasekharan, Minister of State for Planning, Prof. I. N. Choudhari, Academic Director of IGNCA, and all the distinguished guests who are present today. I would also like to give my heart-felt thanks to IGNCA for the large amount preparation work they have done to make this exhibition possible.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
As you all know, Chinese Premier Mr. Wen Jiabao paid a visit to India in April 2005. The visit was a great success and made lots of achievements. During his visit, H. E. Mr. Wen Jiabao and His Honorable Mr. Manmohan Singh signed a Joint Statement, announced the establishment of a Strategic and Cooperative Partnership for Peace and Prosperity, upgrading the bilateral relations. On the boundary issue, the two sides signed the Agreement on the Political Parameters and Guiding Principles for the Settlement of the China-India boundary question, laying a good foundation for fairly and reasonably settling the boundary issue via peace talks. On the economic and trade relations, the two governments have endorsed a five-year plan for Sino-Indian trade and economic development and will take feasible efforts to improve the trade volume between the two countries. On the cultural and personnel exchanges, the two countries plan to hold "Friendship Year" in 2006 and will have more friendship exchanges between the youths. The Chinese side will set up a Confucian College in J. N. U.. The Indian side will construct a Buddhist temple in the White Horse Temple in Luoyang, China, to commemorate the introduction of Buddhism from India to China. The Indian side will also hold "Indian Culture Month" in China in October 2005, while the "Cultural Festival of China" is going on in New Delhi, and we are here inaugurating its last program -- photographic exhibition "Rediscover China".
Since the reform and opening-up over 20 years ago, China has made a series of important achievements, including the return of Hong Kong and Macao to China, China's entry into the WTO, successful bidding in the Olympics and World Expo. and first manned space flight. The continued improvement of people's livelihood and population quality has enabled China to take on a brand new look in front of the world. H.E. Mr. Wen Jiabao, Premier of the State Council of China, once said, 'The China of yesterday was a great ancient country that created a splendid civilization. The China of today is country engaged in reform and opening-up and a rising power dedicated to peace. The China of tomorrow will be a great country that ardently loves peace and that is full of hope.' As an important part of the 'Cultural Festival of China', the photographic exhibition 'Rediscover of China' showcases the past, present and future of China. We hope that this exhibition will help the Indian people learn more about Chinese history and culture, promote the cultural exchanges between our two countries and enhance the mutual understanding and friendship between our two peoples.
Finally, I wish this exhibition a great success!
Thank you!
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