Manhattan, "the heart of New York", embraces the rhythm of Sichuan, China today into its intense urban pace. At 11 a.m. local time on October 28th, the 2010 "Culture of China -- the Splendid Sichuan" series and Splendid Sichuan Photo Exhibition opened at the Manhattan Asian Cultural Center in New York, the United States.
Carolyn Maloney, Representative of House of Representatives, Chairman of Joint Economic Committee of Congress (JEC), John Liu, Controller General of New York City, members of representatives of New York and New York City, representatives of New York Governor and New York City Mayor, representatives of United Chinese Associations of Eastern America attended the opening ceremony.
Zhao Yang, Deputy Director of the State Office of Overseas Chinese Affairs, Vice President of China Overseas Exchange Association, Peng Keyu, Chinese Consul General to New York, Huang Xiaoxiang, Deputy Governor of Sichuan Province, head of Sichuan Delegation of Culture of China -- the Splendid Sichuan series attended the opening ceremony.
The 2010 Cultural of China the Splendid Sichuan Series is co-hosted by China Overseas Exchange Association and Sichuan Provincial People s Government. From October 28th to November 9th, activities including Rise from the Disaster - Pics of Post-Wenchuan Earthquake Restoration & Reconstruction , Pics of Splendid Sichuan and Splendid Sichuan Artistic Performing Show will be held simultaneously in New York, New Jersey, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and the United Nations Headquarters.
Supporting activities including business negotiation, tourism promotion and socializing between overseas Chinese will also be carried out.
Zhao Yang said in this speech that the photo exhibition shares Sichuan s beautiful landscapes and colorful ethnic customs with overseas Chinese and the American people. He sincerely hopes that overseas compatriots can contribute more to the exchanges between both countries.
Ms. Maloney said in her speech that giant pandas are the friendly envoys of friendly exchanges between China and U.S. She hopes to invite giant pandas to New York so that more New Yorkers could learn more about the cute pandas closely. She hopes the photo exhibition can promote the cultural and economic exchanges between the two countries.
Huang Xiaoxiang said in his speech that Sichuan people are very grateful that the US government, people and compatriots living in America expressed their compassion towards people in disaster-stricken areas and offered their valuable support and assistance when Sichuan was hit by Massive Earthquake.
Sichuan people will never forget their support. Right now, China has launched a new round of Western Development, planning to build Western China into an importance energy base, resource processing base, equipment manufacturing base and strategic base for emerging industries. Sichuan has positioned itself as the western economic development highland that radiates the Western China, faces to the whole nation and integrates into the world.
We hope that through the Culture of China--Splendid Sichuan serious, we can not only display to American people and compatriots living in US the amazing natural sceneries of Sichuan Province, mysterious civilization of ancient Sichuan, diverse ethnic cultures and the colorful, comfortable life of Sichuan People, as well as how Sichuan has overcome the earthquake disaster and the achievement Sichuan has made in post-quake restoration and reconstruction, but also shows to the American society the open market and tremendous business opportunities in Sichuan so as to play a more active role in deepening the cooperation in multi fields such as economy and trade between Sichuan and the United States.
Guests attending the opening ceremony cut the ribbon together. Representative to the Governor of New York announced that October 28th to be New York Sichuan Day on behalf of the Governor.
Before the opening ceremony, Huang Xiaoxiang met with Ms. Maloney, Comptroller John Liu of the New York City, representatives of New York, local Chinese leaders and representatives from all sectors of society in New York.
