Distinguished Guests of Honor, Fellow Compatriots Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good evening! Thank you very much for honoring us with your presence at this reception in celebrating the Chinese lunar new year, the Year of Ram. I would like to take this opportunity to express, on behalf of the Chinese Consulate General in Houston, our sincere thanks to you all for the kind assistance rendered to our consulate in the past.

Last year, China has made great achievements in its opening-up and modernization campaign. The full implementation of Chinese government¡¯s commitment to WTO is highly appraised by the international communities. China¡¯s economy kept a strongly sustained development momentum with GDP reaching $1.2 trillion, an 8% increase over the previous year. Its foreign trade volume surpassed $620 billion. Overseas investment to China reached $52.7 billion in 2002, becoming a country with most foreign investment in the world. Foreign exchange reserve totaled $ 286.4 billion, up nearly 30% over 2001, ranking second in the world. Following the Beijing¡¯s successful bidding for 2008 summer Olympics in 2001, China biggest city Shanghai has won the bid to host 2010 World Expo, this ¡°Economic Olympics¡± will be bound to give an impetus to China¡¯s economy growth. The 16th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, concluded not long ago in Beijing, set up the goals for China¡¯s endeavor to build a well-off society in an all-round way, outlining a developing blueprint for China in the next 20 years.

In 2002, Sino-US relations have experience important improvement and development. The two counties have maintained close top-level contacts and strategic dialogs. A series of important consensus have been reached between President Jiang Zemin and President George W. Bush during his visit to the United States on developing Sino-US constructive and cooperative relations. Vice-President Hu jintao¡¯s America visit was also crowned with important successes, advancing the bilateral relations. According to the Chinese statistics, Sino-America trade volume reached $97.1 billion in 2002. In the economic, diplomatic, science and technology, education and anti-terrorism fields, the bilateral exchange and cooperation have been further developed. It is my belief that the friendly cooperation between the American southern regions and China will be certainly developed in a bigger way on our joined efforts.

The earlier solution of Taiwan issue with the realization of China¡¯s reunification is the common aspiration of the all Chinese people around world as well as an irreversible trend of history. ¡°Taiwan independence¡± does not enjoy popular support. China¡¯s earlier reunification are not only in the interests of all Chinese people around world including Taiwan compatriots, but also in the interests of the peoples all over the world including American people. The broad masses of the overseas Chinese in the American southern areas have spared no pains to oppose ¡°Taiwan independence¡± and pushed for China¡¯s peaceful reunification, making a positive contribution to that course. I do believe that the day when China¡¯s reunification realizes will come if only we continue to make unremitting endeavor on the road.

As you know, it was Spring Festival on February 1, marking the beginning of the Chinese traditional new year. According to the Chinese lunar calendar, it is the Year of the Ram, which represents ¡°lucky and well¡±. So I would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your families all the best in the Year of Ram.