| Assistant Minister Fu Ziying’s Speech at the Opening Ceremony of the 2007 Commodities Exhibition of Latin American and Central Eastern European Countries |
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Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
On the occasion of the opening of the 2007 Commodities Exhibition of Latin American and Central Eastern European Countries, I would like to, on behalf of China’s Ministry of Commerce, extend our sincere congratulations to the opening of the exhibition and a heartfelt welcome to friends from home and abroad.
China has enjoyed a time-honored and profound friendship with Latin American and Central Eastern European Countries. Back in the 16th century, the famous Manila Galleon Trade had boosted the economic and cultural exchanges between China and Latin American countries. As early as 2, 200 years ago, the Silk Road had become the bond linking the Chinese and Central Eastern European peoples.
In recent years, the high-level contacts and mutual visits between China and Latin American and Central Eastern European Countries have become more frequent; mutual political trust has been increasingly strengthened; trade and economic cooperation has seen a rapid development. In 2006, The total Chinese-Latin American trade volume exceeded US$70 bn while Chinese-Central Eastern European trade volume surpassed US$20 bn. The mutual investments between China and Latin American countries and Central Eastern European Countries have been increasingly active, covering a wide range of fields, such as machinery, foodstuff, medicine, chemical industry, household electronic appliances, timber processing, project contract, catering, etc.
China, Latin American and Central Eastern European countries have their own advantages, and are highly mutually complementary, with very wide prospects for cooperation. The Latin American Region enjoys a vast territory and rich resources while Central Eastern European Countries boasts sound industrial infrastructure and a comprehensive industrial system. The opening of China’s market is increasingly wider with each passing day and the trade and economic environment has been improved constantly. As long as we each bring our repective strength into full play and further broaden areas of cooperation, we shall definitely create an even better future.
The Chinese government attaches great importance to the exchanges and cooperation with Latin American and Central Eastern European countries. We propose to realize mutual benefits and a win-win situation by further opening up our markets to each other. This exhibition is an important measure taken by the Chinese government to expand China’s imports from the Latin American and Central Eastern European countries，and such an effort shall help the enterprises of the latter understand and explore China’s market, and promote the healthy development of the bilateral trade and economic ties. I sincerely hope that this exhibition will not only provide a new platform for commodity display and trade exchanges, but also create excellent opportunities for enhancing mutual understanding and achieving win-win cooperation.
In conclusion, I wish the 2007 Commodities Exhibition of Latin American and Central Eastern European Countries every success!
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