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Dateline:  Beijing, China – August 10, 2008
Subject:  Speech delivered by Cai Mingzhao, Vice Minister of State Council Information Office of People’s Republic of China / President of China International Publishing Group
Event:  Truce Foundation of the USA Award Ceremony
Attendees Included:  Richard Levin, President of Yale University, Hugh Dugan, chairman of Truce Foundation, various China and US officials.
Venue:  >>>INSERT PLACE<<<
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Honorable President of Truce Foundation of the USA, Mr. [f_name] Dugan; Honorable President of Yale University, Mr. [f_name] Levin; Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:

On this great and historic occasion of international goodwill, during these 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, on behalf of China International Publishing Group it is my extraordinary honor to accept the Truce Foundation of the USA >>>FORMAL AWARD TITLE?>>> award for the Culture and Civilization of China project. Here, in this brief moment, the depth of our gratitude would be difficult for me to express; so I will say simply, thank you. Thank you, so very much.

Mr. Pierre de Coubertin, the esteemed founder of the Modern Olympic Movement, put forth the premise that, in essence, the Olympic spirit reflects a special human quality; that is: the strength and ability to construct a future while remaining faithful to tradition.

In this way, co-publishing of the CCC project, realized by and between China International Publishing Group and Yale University Press, intends to communicate the truth, the good, and the beautiful to people of all countries. Our overall goal is to strengthen communicative ties and increase the depth of understanding between China and all nations. It is through this fine series of books exhibiting the best of Chinese culture that, to an appreciable measure, we hope to accomplish this goal.

I appreciate President Dugan’s kind and insightful words, when of the project he said: “In the cultural arena, CIPG and Yale University Press exemplify a ‘holding of hands’ which is the essence of the Olympic Truce. They have overcome culture, business, political, academic, linguistic, and other obstacles in revealing the many paths of Chinese civilization.”

The CCC project could not have been so successfully realized without the invaluable support provided by many eminent personages dedicated to promoting friendly Sino-US exchange. Among them are former Chinese leaders Rong Yiren and Huang Hua, Chai Zemin, the first Chinese Ambassador to the United States, and famous specialists and scholars like Ji Xianlin. On the US side are George H.W. Bush, former President of the United States of America, Henry A. Kissinger, former Secretary of State of the United States of America, Ambassador Reed, Deputy Secretary-General of the U.N., and President Richard Levin of Yale University. We were also privileged and honored to have benefited from the support of a world-renowned contingent of writers.

To all the admired and respected individuals who contributed their great insight on international affairs, their intellect, creativity, talent, unfailing support and hard work, here I express heartfelt gratitude. There are too many honorable supporters to name here, to whom we should offer our thanks, and now I do so. Thank you – thank you, all who contributed to this project. We trust you share in our great happiness at this moment.

The Olympic Truce is not a proprietary aspect of the Olympic Movement; it is a concept concordant with the will of all those who love peace. Peaceful development is a lofty and often elusive goal shared by progressing nations, and in this respect no Olympics can instantly change the world. Yet, we believe that the tradition of the Olympic Truce may encourage the goodhearted citizens of this planet to join with us in furthering the global cause of lasting peace and prosperity.

And so, it is our sincere wish that you join with us, that you join with all the citizens of this nation, in sharing in our passion and great joy, as we and the world celebrate these momentous and extraordinary Olympic Games.

Thank you. Thank you, all!

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