Distinguished guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Good evening! Thank you very much for being with us at the reception tonight.

On November 20, I first set foot on this beautiful land. On the 1st of December, I presented my credentials to H.E. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. In less than a month, I have already made many friends from the Philippine government, the Congress, the business circle, the media, the Chinese community and the diplomatic corps here in Manila. Your warm welcome and hospitality have made me feel quiet at home in the Philippines.

I am greatly honored and very pleased to be appointed the 11th Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to the Republic of the Philippines. China and the Philippines are close neighbors separated only by a narrow strip of water. The friendly exchanges between our two countries dates back one thousand years. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties 30 years ago, our friendly ties and cooperation have scored fast progress. In recent years, both sides have maintained high level of visits and exchanges, and political mutual trust have enhanced greatly. President Arroyo and President Hu Jintao made successful state visits to each other last September and April this year. During these visits, our two Presidents agreed to forge strategic cooperative relations for peace and development, setting guidance to the future development of our bilateral ties.

At the same time, bilateral trade and economic cooperation between our two countries have also been developing rapidly. Two-way trade volume increased from only US$ 65 million in 1975 to US$ 13.3 billion in 2004, increasing more than 200 times. In the first 10 months of this year, bilateral trade totaled US$ 14.1 billion and is expected to reach US$ 17 billion the whole year, with the Philippines enjoying almost US$ 5 billion surplus. The construction of North Rail project, financed with US$ 900 million Chinese Preferential Buyers' Credit will start soon. The South China Sea cooperation jointly initiated by our two countries has made historical contribution to the promotion of regional peace, stability and development. We also had our first annual defense and security consultation in Manila earlier this year. Tourism cooperation are on the rise too, the Chinese tourists coming to the Philippines will exceed 100, 000 this year, about three times that of last year. In addition, our cooperation on cultural, sports, police, regional and international affairs have also expanded. I would also like to take this opportunity to expressed my appreciation of the continuous support of one China policy by the Philippine government.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

What makes us feel happy and excited is that China-Philippine relations have now entered a golden age of partnership while we are celebrating the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties. In retrospect, we are delighted and proud to see the great achievements we have made in developing bilateral ties. Looking into the future, we are fully confident about the prospects of the future development of our relations. China and the Philippines have great potential in mutually beneficial cooperation. As new Chinese ambassador to the Philippines, I could feel the heavy burden of responsibility. I would do my best to push bilateral cooperation in various fields forward. I am convinced that with the concerted efforts of both governments and peoples, our traditional friendship will bear new fruits, and our bilateral ties will embark on higher stages.

Please allow me to propose,

To the lasting Sino-Philippine friendship

To the prosperity of the People's Republic of the Philippines and the

Republic of the Philippines

To the health of everyone present here.

Cheers and Mabuhay!