Dear Mr.James Town and all of Our Distinguished Guests,

　　Following the deepening of reform and opening to the outside world,more and more foreign visitors are coming to our country to explore the possibilities of investing in China in the forms of joint venture enterprise,cooperative enterprise and exclusively foreign-owned enterprise.Today,we have great pleasure in greeting the arrival of the Far East American International Trade Mission by Mr.James Town.On this very special occasion tonight,we feel greatly honored to have our distinguished guests with us.First of all,please allow me,on ?behalf? of the Oriental Chinese Trade Development International Corporation,and on my own behalf,to extend our warm welcome to Mr.Town and the other American guests who come from the other side of the Pacific Ocean.And in the meanwhile,I wish to thank you for joining us tonight and to express our appreciation for the friendly cooperation you have shown us over the years.? The United States and China have enjoyed more opportunities to exchange friendship and business ever since the signing of the Shanghai Communique in 1972.The bilateral trade has greatly increased.As an old friend of ours,Mr.Town has committed himself to the mutual understanding and the friendship and the trade cooperation between China and the United States for many years.He has visited China many times.This is his sixth visit to China,and the main purpose of his visit is to seek investment opportunities in China.I’m confident that your own visit will not only help to enhance the understanding and friendship between the peoples of our two countries,but also help to promote the friendly trade relations of both sides.

　　We welcome you warmly and wish your visit a great success and also wish all of you very good health and a happy stay in China.Now,let us invite Mr.Town to speak to us.