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Zhang Zhijian Chinese Ambassador to
Finland
My dear friends, ladies and
gentlemen:
Today I am very delighted to welcome you all here
to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Sino-Finnish
trade.
50 years ago when new China was founded, some
far-sighted Finnish friends spared no time to begin their
business with China. Though the volume was small and the
products were limited at that time, it was indeed a very
good start. The trade volume between our two countries has
been increased continuously from then on under the cares
from both governments. The trade volume between us last year
reached almost 3.3 billion US dollars and ranked the first
among the Nordic countries. This great achievement can not
be separated from your great efforts and the efforts of your
companies. I would like to take this opportunity to say
specially “thank you ” with all my
heart.
Not long ago I went back to China to participate
in the reception of H.E. President Tarja Halonen’s
state visit to China. The Chinese government attached great
importance to this visit. H.E. President Halonen is the
first head of state from western countries to visit China
after the 16th Party Congress. The leaders of our both
countries spoke highly of our bilateral relations during the
visit. We have enjoyed very cordial relationship for 52
years since the establishment of the diplomatic relations
between our two countries. Fruitful results have been
obtained in our bilateral cooperation in the fields of
economy, trade, science and technology, culture and
education. The Sino-Finnish relationship can be regarded as
a “good example”. We are reliable friends to
each other. The different economic levels and economic
structures in our two countries constitute the strong
feature of mutual complimentarity in our two
countries’ economy. Therefore the cooperation between
us has a great potential and a promising future for the
development.
My dear friends, ladies and
gentlemen:
China won the right to hold Olympic Games 2008
last year and again not long ago this year won the right to
hold the World Expo 2010. I would like to take this chance
to express my heart-felt thanks to the Finnish government
and the Finnish entrepreneurs for their firm support, which
the Chinese government and people will never
forget. The direct investment for Shanghai to host this
event will be over 3 billion US dollars, which will result
in 5 to 10 times of that amount for other investments. We
can see that, to hold the World Expo in Shanghai will
provide businessmen both at home and abroad huge
opportunities. By the year of 2010, China’s economy
will be more flourishing and the society more stable. China
will continue to be one of the best countries worthy of
investment and with the most trade opportunities. I
cordially welcome Finnish enterprises and Finnish friends to
take part in the preparations for Shanghai Expo and
participate in the Expo then.
My dear friends, ladies and
gentlemen:
As the Chinese Ambassador to Finland, I pay
special attention to the development of economic and trade
relations between our two countries. I will work hard and do
my best to make contributions together with you to promote
the further development of economic and trade relations
between China and Finland. The history of Sino-Finnish trade
is as old as 50 years , which lays a sound foundation of the
trade between our two countries. I firmly believe that the
economic and trade relations between our two countries will
grow steadily and gain more achievements through the joint
efforts of our two governments and enterprises as well as
all the friends present today.
I wish you a nice evening!
Thank you very much.
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