Hon. Senator Jack Austin,

Honorable Senators and MPs,

Your Excellencies ambassadors and heads of missions,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

My wife and I are delighted to have seen so many friends, old and new, here today.  We thank you for your kind presence.

Canada is no strange, but rather special to my wife and me.  It is in Canada where for the first time, we were exposed to the outside of China and experienced the cultural shock; where I started my diplomatic career as a junior officer; and where I met my wife.  In all those years away from Canada, we've always kept in mind the memories of the good old days of the campus life in Ottawa and Toronto.  We missed the beautiful blossom of tulips along the banks of Dawson Lake.  In our mind's eye we replayed from time to time our visits to Gravehurst, On., home place of Dr. Norman Bethune, the legendary Canadian hero in China, the smiles of each members of the family I had the home-stay with and of many other Canadian friends.  These are our memories of Canada.  So we feel a real affinity with this country when we returned.  It is indeed a great honor and privilege for me to serve as China's Ambassador to Canada, particularly at a time when China-Canada relations are booming as never before. 

This year marks the 35^th anniversary of the diplomatic ties between China and Canada.  In the past years, thanks to the joint efforts of the two sides, the bilateral relations have flourished, featuring frequent exchange of visits among leaders of both countries, dynamic parliamentary exchanges, increased trade, flourishing cultural events and close cooperation on the international affairs. 

Take trade and economic cooperation as an example.  The trade between the two countries has set a record high of 15.5 billion US dollars by the end of 2004, an increase of 50% over the year 2003 and 50 times that of 1970 when we first established diplomatic ties.  China is now Canada's 2nd largest trading partner, and Canada ranks the 10th among China's trading partners.

The robust bilateral exchanges have also yielded fruitful results in many other areas, as evidenced by ever-active cultural, scientific and technological exchanges and normalized military relations.  The cooperation in the education area has become a shining point in our relations.  When I came to Canada with other students in 1973, from coast to coast, there was no other student from China in this country, but now 55,000 of them are doing their studies in universities and colleges across Canada.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We have achieved a lot in the bilateral relations.  And I believe the prospect for the future development is even brighter.  At the beginning of this year, Prime Minster Paul Martin made his first official visit to China, laying down a solid foundation for the further advance of Sino-Canadian partnership of all-round cooperation.  As the Chinese Ambassador, I will do my utmost to implement the consensus reached between the leaders of the two countries and further cement our strong ties.  I also look forward to your generous support and assistance and working closely with you in this endeavor.

Finally, may I invite you to join me in a toast,

to the continuous development of China-Canada relations,

to the prosperity of our two countries and well-being to their peoples,

and to the health of everyone present here, cheers!

Thank you.