January 31, 2010

Distinguished guests

Excellencies

Ladies and Gentlemen,

After 10 more days, Chinese people are going to celebrate the Chinese lunar new year, the Year of Tiger. We are very happy and honoured to have so many friends come joint us in this Chinese New Year Food & Culture Festival and share the festivity with us. Allow me to extend my warm welcome and new year greetings to all of you.

The Year of Tiger is a very lucky year. In China, tiger stands for being courageous, energetic and very capable. I wish the Year of Tiger will bring everybody good luck.

2010 is a very important year for China. Chinese people after a very successful year of 2009, will continue to work hard to build their country into a moderately prosperous society in an all-aspects way, and make their fresh contribution to the world peace and development. This year, China will host the World Expo in Shanghai from May to October and the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou in November. More than 240 countries, regions and international organizations will participate in the Shanghai Expo, this makes it the largest ever in the world expo history. With the theme of "Better City, Better Life", all countries, including India, will showcase their latest achievement in science and technology especially in green life and environment friendly technology. I hope all friends, including Indian friends, will have chance to visit this spectacular event.

2010 is also an auspicious year for China-India relation. Two countries are going to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relation. China Festival and India Festival will be held respectively. We are also busily preparing the state visit by Indian President to China. I am sure those activities will further promote the people to people exchanges and strengthen the bilateral cooperation. I am confident with your gracious support, we will further advance China-India Strategic Cooperative Partnership and open a new chapter in China-India relation.

Dear friends, Today's gathering is part of the celebration for the 60th anniversary and it will warm up the China Festival in India. we have prepared lots of Chinese delicacies. There are typical dishes representing various branches of Chinese cuisine. My staff and their spouses have also prepared some fantastic culture shows. They are not dancers and models, but better than professional dancers and models. I hope you will enjoy both the Chinese food and the performances.

Finally, as Chinese custom goes, I would like to wish everybody good health, good luck and big wealth in the new year!

Thank you!