Vancouver Chinese Canadians Welcome CPPCC ChairmanMore than 700 Chinese Canadians hosted a grand dinner party in Vancouver Saturday to welcome Li Ruihuan, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).Yung Quon Yu, chairman of the Welcoming Committee, said Li's visit is of historic significance in promoting bilateral ties on the eve of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Canada. Overseas Chinese are following with great interest the development in China's reform and feel happy and encouraging about the great success achieved by China, he added. Representing the Canadian government at the gathering were Sophia Leung, member of parliament, and Ujjal Dosanjh, premier of Canada's west coastal province of British Columbia. They stressed the importance of Vancouver as a city of historical links with China, hoping the working relationship of the two countries will become closer and closer. Li expressed heart-felt thanks for the warm welcome he received during his visit to Canada. He told the gathering about the encouraging results achieved by China since it adopted the policy of reform and opening up to the outside world in the late 1970s. But China must remain sober-minded and keep unity in its hard struggle to further narrow its gap with developed countries, he said. Li urged Chinese Canadians to make greater efforts to help China in its development while seeking business opportunities of their own. China highly evaluates the contribution by overseas Chinese to its development over the past two decades, he said, adding China will continue to value the important role of overseas Chinese so as to make its reform more fruitful. Li began his official visit of friendship Monday. He is scheduled to end his six-day trip in Canada Sunday. His good-will mission will also take him to Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago, and Peru. |
| Please visit People's Daily Online --- http://www.peopledaily.com.cn/english/ |