Ladies and Gentlemen, dear friends:

Good evening.

Tonight I am delighted and grateful to join you at this reception party celebrating US-Chinese people's friendship as well as the grand photo exhibition sponsored by the New York Association for the peaceful Unification of China.

As we know that both China and the United States are countries of great influence. Enhancing our friendship not only conforms to the fundamental interests of our two peoples, but also conduces to the peace, stability and prosperity of the Asian-Pacific region and the world at large. Besides it also contributes to the life and development of the overseas Chinese in the United States. We are delighted to see that now the China-US relations are in good momentum of progress, that our economic and trade cooperation has been deepened and expanded, and that the friendly exchanges between our two peoples have been enhanced. Despite the difference between us in the way of promoting China-US relations, as we are at the official level, and you, the unofficial level, we share the identical objective and common aspiration. That is, to push forward the friendship between our two peoples and two countries. Over the years, our friends, and in particular, the New York Association for the peaceful Unification of China has made arduous efforts in pursuing this goal. Therefore, please allow me, on behalf of the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in New York, to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all of you here. In the meantime, it is my sincere hope that you will continue to contribute to the development of the friendship between the Chinese and American people.

Besides, I also thank you for volunteering to spend so much time, money and energy in preparing this photo exhibition to raise fund for schools of the children from the poverty-stricken areas in Xinjiang Autonomous region that have been hit by earthquakes. We greatly appreciate it for your exemplary move. In particular, Mr. Tat C. Lau, the host of this exhibition, has spent much of his precious time in traveling around for photo taking, and has been dedicated to polishing and preparing them before he finally brought us such a fabulous wonderland of flowers. Please allow me, to render my special respect and gratitude to Mr. Liu.

Before I finish, I would like to extend my best wishes for a complete success of this event, and for your good health and happiness! Thank you.