Honorable Mr. Zhang Qunshan, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of Guizhou Provincial People's Congress,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am delighted to join you today.

First, on behalf of the Chinese Consulate General in Chicago, I warmly welcome Vice Chairman Zhang Qunshan and his delegation and also extend our sincere congratulations on the opening of the Guizhou-US Business and Investment Forum.

Guizhou has been one of China's fastest growing provincial economies in recent years with great potential in mining, chemistry, modern agriculture, food processing, equipment manufacturing, auto parts and aeronautics industries.

The leadership and the Provincial Government of Guizhou have demonstrated their global vision by actively promoting trade and economic cooperation with other countries.

I believe that Vice Chairman Zhang and his delegation have come to a right place for economic cooperation. Chicago, as a very important economic, commercial and financial hub in America's Midwest, certainly has much to offer Guizhou. Of course, Guizhou also has much to offer Chicago. I hope the business communities of both Guizhou and Chicago, as well as the State of Illinois will forge even closer links and identify more opportunities for mutually-beneficial cooperation.

The Chinese Consulate General in Chicago fully supports the efforts of Guizhou Provincial Government in expanding business cooperation with Chicago and the whole America's Midwest. We in the Consulate will continue to provide our assistance in this regard.

In closing, I wish the China Guizhou-U.S. Business and Investment Forum a complete success.

Thank you.