International Consultative Conference on the Future Economic Development of Guangdong Province

(The speech is made by Governor Lu Ruihua on Nov 12th, 1999)

Honorable Advisors, dear friends, ladies and gentlemen:

Welcome to the "City of Ram" in this golden fall season. As an old Chinese saying goes: " How happy we are , to meet friends from afar!" My colleagues and I are delighted to be with our distinguished Advisors and Advisors' representatives and all other guests tonight. On behalf of the 70 million people in Guangdong and the Provincial Government, and in my own name, I wish to extend to you warm welcome. And I want to express my grateful thanks to you for your gracious caring and support for our economic and social development over many years.

I am delighted to have and grateful to all of my Advisors because you are prominent figures on the global economic and social arena. You have successful experience, strategic vision and insight into the past, current and future trend of the world economy. I look forward to hearing from you at the coming conference your invaluable views and suggestions on future economic and social development in Guangdong. At the same time, I wish that the conference would also be useful for you to know and understand more about Guangdong. I look forward to our enhanced friendship and better interchanges and cooperation.

In the last two decades, Guangdong has experienced an economic boom. Economic capabilities have increased along with the growth of productivity. People's living standards have also seen steady improvement. All of this is benefited from China's reforms and opening up to the outside world. In fact, we spearheaded this process in China. Guangdong is an important province in terms of foreign trade, linking with more than 170 countries and regions in the world. In 1998 this province generated a gross foreign trade value of US$ 130 billion, accounting for 40 per cent of the national total. Guangdong is also the biggest foreign investment user in China. Since 1979 the accumulated foreign investment put into place amounted to US$ 100 billion. There are over 27,000 overseas-invested enterprises to this day in the province. In fact we maintain close and long-term cooperation and exchanges in business, science and technology and culture and education with most of the companies and institutions our honored guests present here represent.

It is particularly hear-warming that all of our old and new friends get together on this memorable occasion today.I am confident that the coming International Consultative Conference will contribute to our more fruitful cooperation and more profound friendship.

Now I propose a toast,

To every success of the International Consultative Conference;

To our friendship and cooperation;

To brilliant business and success of your future endeavors;

To your good health; ¡¡¡¡Cheers!

Editor: Donald