Members of New Zealand Parliament, Dr. Yang Jian, Jami-Lee Ross, Raymond Huo,

Mr. George Andrews,Vice President of the New Zealand China Friendship Society,

Ms. Wang Yanwen, Head of China Xizang Cultural Exchange Delegation,

Distinguished guests, Dear friends, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Thank you so much for joining us tonight at China Xizang Cultural Exhibition and Performance. First of all, I would like to express my warm welcome to all the friends present here tonight and also to China Xizang cultural exchange delegation. My special appreciation goes to the delegation members for bringing us this magnificent performance and exhibition to Auckland and New Zealand to share with our friends in New Zealand China Xizang' spectacular natural landscape, its economical and social development as well as fascinating arts and culture.

Xizang is one of China's five autonomous regions and its ethnic people one of China's 56 ethnic groups. I am very proud about the great achievement and progress made by Xizang in all areas over the past 60 years. Over six decades since the Communist Party of China (CPC) brought the plateau onto a path of hope, Xizang is in better shape than ever before. People's living standard has been greatly improved, with good education, stable jobs, more income, better social security, better health care and cozy living in a beautiful environment. The central government has offered preferential policies in the region to stimulate its social and economic development. The Xizang Autonomous Region is the very first in China to be provided with free education for 15 years starting from preschool to primary and high school. A medical care scheme has covered the entire agricultural and pastoral areas in Xizang. Farmers and herdsmen are entitled to free physical check once a year. Children with congenital heart disease are treated for free. The region's electricity grid has been upgraded and integrated with the network elsewhere in China to ensure adequate supply in wintertime. The development in recent years shows that efforts to narrow the gap between the plateau and the rest of the country are paying off. Last year its GDP growth rate ranked NO one in China followed by Chongqing and Guizhou with 11.7% much higher than nationwide average 6.7%.

Xizang is a beautiful and nostalgic place in China which is regarded as "paradise on earth "and its culture a significant part of Chinese culture. with its unique charm which attracts the people all over the world. Chinese central government attaches great importance to protecting the Xizang's culture and its development and allocate abundant human and financial resources in protecting the Xizang ethnic fine traditional culture. The culture and cultural heritage in Xizang are all well preserved. Our friends present here tonight may have or not have been to Xizang, but I believe you all are interested in the Xizang's culture.We are fortunate tonight to have the best artists from Xizang to provide us the performance and exhibition. Tonight's performance and exhibition will strengthen the understanding of China's Xizang. I would like to express my thanks to our Xizang delegation's contribution for promoting the mutual understanding, friendship and cooperation of China and New Zealand.

This year is a special year for China and China New Zealand relationship. It marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relationship between China and New Zealand as well as the 120th a birth anniversary of Rewi Alley, a great friend of China and the Chinese People. Over the past 45 years since the establishment of the diplomatic relations, Thanks to the joint efforts of both sides and contribution and support of our great friends present here or not here, the bilateral relationship has been enjoying fast development and have entered the best period of history with strengthened mutual political trust and enhanced cooperation in all other areas. I am particularly impressed by local exchanges and cooperation between our two countries. Over the past year I received hundreds of local delegations to Auckland from different provinces, metropolitan cities and autonomous regions of China since I came to Auckland as the Chinese consul general. Today I am very pleased to receive my friends from Xizang. Strengthening the people to people exchanges is one the most important consensus reached by the leaders of our two countries. Cultural exchanges as the most important part of the people to people exchange has been important bridge linking our two peoples and two countries.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

China is not far from New Zealand. China's Xizang is not far from New Zealand. You are most welcome to visit China's Xizang and see in your own eyes not only its natural landscape, its rapid social and economic development, but also its rich arts and culture.

I wish all of you enjoy the exhibition and performance, have a good weekend!