Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen and Friends

Good Morning!

On Behalf of the Ministry of Commerce, I would like to extend my warm and sincere congratulation to the opening of the First Session of China Ningxia Islamic Food and Articles Fair and Ningxia Fair for Investment and Trade.

The Chinese nation is a big family composed of 56 nationalities, has ethnic articles of special characteristics and a long-history dietary culture. Various styles of ethnic garments, arts and crafts, musical instrument, medical products, religion articles, daily used commodities and food with unique taste present us the long and glorious history and brilliant culture of China, and are the crystallization of wisdom and civilization of all ethnic groups for thousands of years.

The CPC central Committee and the State Council highly emphasized the economic development of minority areas. In recent years, with the implementation of developing western China strategy and nationality policies, most of Chinese western provinces developed rapidly their economy and society and a batch of articles with ethnic culture and outstanding ethnic characteristic were put forward gradually through innovation, which strongly boomed the market and richened the material and cultural life of local people.

Ningxia is one of the biggest minority areas of China with a long history and stands at a remarkable place in development of Islamic food and ethnic articles with great potential. Through mutual efforts, brand of Ningxia Islamic beef and mutton with ethnic characteristics have successfully have gained a foothold in international market. The development and strengthening of national economy strongly drives up farmers to get rid of poverty and be rich, and pushes forward regional economy and the society to develop with a high speed.

In today's world, economic globalization tends to be remarkable day by day, the economic communication and cultural exchange among nationalities, regions and countries are active. Islamic food and articles break through the national and regional limit and integrate, innovate and develop step by step. We should enhance fund investment according to the life and culture of minorities while facing with the historical opportunities, should innovate and create famous brands at domestic and international market on the basis of maintenance of ethnic characteristics to further enlarge and thrive the market of Islamic food and articles and enrich life of worldwide people to contribute to the construction of a harmonious society.

Ningxia has plenty of natural resources and a batch of special industries with strong competitiveness. There were unlimited trading opportunities, and an extensive prospect for traders to launch investment and cooperation.

I believe that with the right guidance of CPC Central Committee and the State Council, only if we insist on the concept of scientific development, adhere to the theme of unity and striving of the nationalities and common development, seize tightly the historical opportunity of Development of West China, completely utilize the platform of the Fair for Trade and Investment to further strengthen internal and external opening up, certainly would the economic and social development of Ningxia step forward to a new stage.

I wish the First Session of China Ningxia Islamic Food and Articles Fair and Ningxia Fair for Investment and Trade a complete success!

Thanks!

(Source: Network Center of MOFCOM)