------Mayor Liang Shaotang Extends New Year Greetings
                                           to Overseas Foshanese on the Internet

With the bumper harvest in the Year of Monkey, we greet the New Year of Rooster with jubilation. On the occasion of the upcoming Chinese Spring Festival, I have great pleasure, on behalf of Foshan Municipal Government and all my fellow citizens, to extend New Year greetings on the Internet to the Overseas Foshanese, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwai compatriots and Foshan Honorary Citizens. I wish everyone a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year!

Year 2004 is an important year that witnesses Foshan making new progress in the campaign of building a city of industry, a city of culture and a modernize metropolis. It is a year when construction was carried out in an all-round way. Over last year, the city went all out, striving to achieve the objective. While economic and social development made new progress, Foshan takes on a lovely look of prosperity with joy and peace. In 2004, the city’s GDP was estimated to top 165.37 billion Yuan, up 16.3% year on year. GDP per capita came to 47500 Yuan, an increase of 14.5%. With foreign economy further expanding last year, gross import and export volume exceeded 20 billion US dollars, rising 31.7% to 21.69 billion dollars, among which, gross export volume increased 35.3% to 13.83 billion dollars. Contractual overseas capital amounted to 1.8 billion US dollars and overseas capital in place realized 1.7 billion dollars, an increase of 42.2% and 38.7% respectively. 29 of the Fortune 500 have made investment in Foshan, among which 9 are newly established. The construction of a modernized metropolis has been in full swing. Total investment in fixed assets reached 56.54 billion Yuan. A number of infrastructure projects have been pushed forward including the construction of a group of trunk roads and expressways, the new urban area, sports facilities for the Provincial Games, Media Center, Shunde Performing Center, etc. The construction of a culturally famous city has started an upsurge. The city has successfully held series of cultural events such as Cantonese Opera Festival, China (Foshan) Martial Art Festival, China (Shiwan) Ceramic Art Festival, etc. Guangdong Cantonese Opera Theater was introduced to Foshan. The city’s cultural taste is further upgraded. Over last year, the city of Foshan enjoyed economic growth, in-depth reform, improved environment, scientific and technological progress. People’s comprehensive quality and social civilization was further improved. Exciting progress has been made in the construction of modernized metropolis and the development of a well-off society.

For a long time, the overseas Foshanese and Foshan Honorary Citizen love their country and hometown. They are active in public welfare, making investment and starting business in Foshan, which makes great contribution to the city’s economic development. Foshan’s economic advancement and social progress embodies their love and support to the hometown. On this occasion, I would like to express our gratitude and considerations to you and through you to all overseas friends who support and care Foshan’s construction and development.

After entering into 2005, along with the continuous growth of the global economy and further improvement of the domestic environment for development, Foshan’s economy is at a new blooming period.  The deepening implementation of various plans, the initiation of “2+5” City Group, the proceeding of all pivot projects, and the establishment of Model City for Environmental Protection at National Level and Sanitary City at National Level, as well as the 7th Asian Art Festival and Culture Ministerial Forum which will be held in Foshan, mark a strong signal that, Foshan’s development has entered into a new stage and has ushered in an important period of opportunity.  Tremendous opportunities come with tremendous development.  In 2005, guided by the scientific outlook on development, based on the coordinated and integrated development of Pearl River Delta, we seize the opportunity of CEPA implementation to actively integrate to Guangzhou-Foshan Economic Circle and Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao region.  Foshan will take part in the Pan-Pearl River Delta cooperation and development, to enhance its competitiveness in all areas, enabling the city to grow with greater potential. Currently, Foshan leads its comprehensive development by means of planning.  Industrial foundation has been consolidated and enhanced. Industrial structure is under optimization and upgrade.  Hi-tech industry, modern logistics and burgeoning economy are blooming in Foshan.  In light of the goal of city group planning, we will spare no efforts to build Foshan into a modernized metropolis with highly developed manufacturing industry and unique Southern Chinese Culture.

We are of one heart and one mind to build up Foshan, and her prosperity is not far away.  Development in Foshan needs unswerving and gracious supports from all the overseas Foshanese and Foshan honorary citizens.  After years of development, Foshan has boosted its strength in industry, with competent supporting capacities and high industrial cluster. A manufacturing base with vigor and potential has taken shape. The city is an ideal region for global industrial transfer and overseas investment. Overseas Foshanese, honorary citizens, and compatriots from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, are warmly welcome to start their business and invest in Foshan.  At the same time, we warmly welcome overseas Foshanese to visit hometown more often.  Let’s join hands to make a promising future of Foshan!