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Guangzhou Mayor Wan Qingliang met with Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Zhang Zhijun, on the evening of August 29. They exchanged views on services relating to the foreign affairs at the upcoming Asian Games and Para Asian Games in Guangzhou. Guangzhou Vice Mayor Chen Mingde attended the meeting.
Mayor Wan extended a warm welcome to Vice Minister Zhang and his entourage. He stated that Guangzhou is gearing up for the Asian Games in accordance with the arrangements made by central and provincial authorities. At the 100-day and 80-day countdowns to the games, provincial and municipal leaders made appeals to the public to speed up efforts to prepare for the games.
According to the mayor, to ensure logistical support for foreign visitors to the games, the organizers of the games sent pre-registration questionnaires in January to a number of foreign dignitaries to find out their intent of visit. So far, responses have been received from 15 dignitaries in Thailand and Mongolia. The organizers have also recruited 70 protocol officers with foreign language skills and 52 top-notch volunteers. Guangzhou will increase its liaison with foreign countries and regions under the guidance of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Mayor expressed his hope that the Ministry will provide further assistance for Guangzhou in inviting foreign states leaders and other dignitaries to the Asian Games. Vice Minister Zhang expressed his appreciation for Guangzhou's hospitality. He stated that the Asian Games are not only a sports extravaganza, but also a significant international diplomatic event. He added that the CPC Central Committee, the State Council and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs afford high priority to the games. He revealed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has established a task force to take charge of protocol, press and security arrangements. He also said that his ministry will draw upon the foreign affair experience of the Beijing Olympic Games and the Shanghai World Expo to increase coordination with related government agencies in Guangdong and Guangzhou to ensure the success of games-related foreign affairs. Source: english.gz.gov.cn |
