| Counsellor Zhuang’s Speech in the opening ceremony of China Southern Airline’s new route between Dubai and Guangzhou |
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| Tuesday,March 27,2007 Posted: 15:08 BJT(0708 GMT) Economic & Commercial Counsellor's Office |
Ladies and Gentlemen, Friends,
On behalf of the Economic and Commercial Office of Chinese Embassy, and also the Economic and Commercial Section of Consulate General in Dubai, I am very honored today to join this celebration of the new nonstop service between Dubai-Guangzhou rendered by China Southern Airline, and I am more than pleased to join you all to share the pleasure of this long-awaited exciting moment.
It is well known that in recent years, China has been enjoying sound economic & trade co-operations with gulf countries especially U.A.E. As a trade hub and commercial center, Dubai is In 2006, the trade value between China and GCC countries reached USD 44.9 billion, an increase of 33.15% over 2005 with exports USD 18.4 billion and imports 26.5 billion. In the past decade, the cooperation between China and UAE has witnessed significant upward growth by virtue of mutual attention paid by their leadership and governments. In 2006, the trade between China and UAE got to USD14.2 billion, 6 times more than the figure in 2000 and with an increase of 31.8% over 2005, of which export stood at USD 11.4 billion and import USD2.8 billion. Now UAE is raking No.1 Chinese products destination. China’s export to UAE contributes about 62% of China’s total export to GCC countries. It is estimated the trade between China and UAE will reach USD18 billion in 2007. Besides, China has close and overall cooperations with UAE in the oil fields, construction, Tel communication, tourism and culture exchanges. etc.
I firmly believe that now that China and UAE are entering into the golden phase of the fast development. The new nonstop service between Dubai-Guangzhou will definitely provide more impetus to this fast growth. It will facilitate the trip of the visitors from Emirates and neighboring countries to Guangzhou directly either on tourism or doing business, and more people from China will be facilitated to gain the access directly to Dubai to share the business opportunities, meanwhile, the Cargo trade will also be facilitated to transport in a way of more efficiency. This service will construct a New Silk Road in the sky.
I am as excited as everyone present today, as this new route is inaugurated on the occasion of the in depth cooperations between our two countries. Here I am very pleased to say, thanks to the joint efforts made by the both governments, Her excellency Shiekh Lubana, Minister of Economy of the UAE, following her last successful visit, will lead 100-member delegation to come to Guangzhou next month and join the 101th Canton Fair, I wish Her Excellency’s trip will be successful and all the attendants to this fair will gain fruitful results. I think the coming Dubai-Guangzhou air service will be served as the air bridge linking the friendships of the peoples of our two countries, and I believe it will play an important role in further enhancement of Sino-UAE business relations.
To conclude, I wish for the continued achievement of the China Southern Airline service, and warm congratulations to the successful inauguration of the Dubai-Guangzhou new route!
Thank you!
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