（Nov. 22, 2007 Beijing）

Honored guests, Ladies and gentlemen:

On the occasion of the opening of 2007 Commodities Exhibition of Latin American and Central Eastern European Countries (ICE 2007), on behalf of MOFCOM, P. R. China, I extend warm congratulations to the convention of the fair and a hearty welcome to all friends from home and abroad.

China keeps profound traditional friendship and has a long history of interchanges with Latin American and Central Eastern European countries. Back in the 16th century, the famous Manila Galleon Trade advanced the economic and cultural exchanges between China and Latin American regions. And 2,200 years ago, the Silk Road linked China with Central Eastern Europe.

Over the years, China has maintained the traditional friendship with Latin American and Central Eastern European countries. In recent years, the mutual visits by top level leaders of these countries are frequent, the mutual political trust is increasing strengthened and the trade and economic cooperation is developing rapidly, showing a good momentum. In 2006, the trade volumes between China and Latin American and Central Eastern European regions were respectively over 70 billion US dollars and 20 billion dollars. The mutual investments between China and Latin American and Central Eastern European countries are increasing active involving in machinery, foods, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, household appliances, wood processing, project contracting, restaurants and other fields.

China and Latin American as well as Central Eastern European Countries have respective advantages with strong complementarities. The Latin American region is vast in territory and rich in resources and the Central Eastern European countries have good industrial foundations in great assortment, while the Chinese market will become more open and the trade environments are increasingly improved. We hope to maximize our respective advantages and expand mutual benefit and cooperation.

The Chinese government had attached great importance to the exchanges and cooperation with Latin American and Central Eastern European countries. As one of important measures which the Chinese government have taken to expand importing from Latin American and Central Eastern European countries, the ICE 2007 will surely help the enterprises from these countries to know and develop the Chinese market and accelerate the bilateral economic and trade relations. I sincerely hope that this exhibition not only establish a platform to display commodities and exchange trade, but also increase mutual understanding and realize win-win.

In the end, I wish a complete success of the exhibition!

Thank you!