Wang Yang, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Secretary of the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee, met with the Consular Corps in Guangzhou at Zhudao Hotel on the morning of May 8, 2008.

    Both sides had in-depth exchange of views over topics of common concern such as energy shortage, environmental protection, industry transfer, and balanced development among regions in a friendly, relaxing, candid and cordial atmosphere.

    Wang extended his sincere appreciation for the great support from all the foreign consular missions in Guangzhou over the years.

    Wang said the opening of the 32 consular missions in Guangzhou have witnessed Guangdong’s reform and opening-up in the past three decades.

    “All the consular missions and consular officers have made positive contribution to the reform, opening-up and modernization drive in China and Guangdong in different ways,” Wang said.

    “Guangdong owes half of its foreign trade and 80 percent of its sisterhood to those countries which have established consular missions in Guangzhou through their common efforts and great support.

    “Guangdong always places great importance on the exchanges and cooperation with the sending countries through their consular missions, and regards them as an important, long term and stable channel for mutual cooperation and exchanges.

    “Guangdong will continue to expand its links with all the consular missions in order to further promote mutual understanding, bolster mutual friendship, and intensify mutual cooperation and exchanges with the sending countries in economy, trade, science and technology, culture, sports and other areas.”

    Piotr Slawinski, Dean of the Consular Corps in Guangzhou and Polish Consul General, extended his thanks to Wang on behalf of the Consular Corps, saying the relaxing and interactive meeting enables them to have plentiful valuable information.

    He said he wishes regular meeting between Guangdong side and the Consular Corps could be established in the future for exchange of views on topics of common concern in order to promote friendly exchanges and cooperation.

    Zhong Yangsheng, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of Guangdong Provincial People’s Congress, Vice Governor Wan Qingliang, and Tang Bingquan, Vice Chairman of the CPPCC Guangdong Provincial Committee, attended the meeting.

    Vice Governor Wan also hosted a banquet in honor of the Consular Corps at White Swan Hotel after the meeting.

    Liu Xiaojie, Deputy Secretary General of Provincial Government, Fu Lang, GDFAO Director General, and chiefs of provincial departments concerned attended the banquet.