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Dateline: Bangkok, Thailand – [DATE]
Subject: Speech delivered by [Name Omitted], Vice Minister of
State Council Information Office of People’s Republic of China /
President of China International Publishing Group
Event: Launch Ceremony for the Pictorial Album: "Princess
Maha Chakri Sirindhorn’s Visit to Qinghai and Tibet"
Attendees Included: Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri
Sirindhorn, Thai Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont, Chinese
Ambassador to Thailand Zhang Jiuhuan, various other China and Thai
officials.
Venue: >>>INSERT PLACE<<<
______________________________________________
-begin-
Her Royal
Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn,
Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont,
Ambassador Zhang Jiuhuan,
Ladies and gentlemen,
After
several months of dedicated collective effort, China’s writers,
photographers and talented publishing personnel produced that which
we are honored to present here today: The exquisite album, Princess
Maha Chakri Sirindhorn’s Visit to Qinghai and Tibet.
We gather
here for this launch ceremony in the spirit of transnational
harmony, and with the intent that the profound friendship that
exists between the people of China and Thailand will be represented
by this album.
On behalf
of China International Publishing Group, I would like to express our
heartfelt gratitude to the Princess for her presence today, adding
that I personally hold deep respect for Her Royal Highness. I would
also like to extend our sincere thanks to Prime Minister Surayud
Chulanont, and all our respected Thai friends, for their gracious
attendance. And, for their support, assistance and cooperation in
the publishing and distribution of the album, I will here convey our
sincere appreciation to the Embassy of the People’s Republic of
China in the Kingdom of Thailand, the Royal Thai Embassy in the
People’s Republic of China, and the Nan Mee Company.
Her Royal
Highness’s arrival in China last April marked her 24th visit to the
nation, and the highlight of the journey was her traversing of the
Qinghai-Tibet Plateau via the newly-opened Qinghai-Tibet Railway –
or QTR. To record this momentous event, CIPG dispatched two senior
reporters to accompany the Princess’s traveling entourage, and her
journey is today vividly depicted and recorded within the pages of
this album.
The
1,956-kilometer QTR, now known to many as the “Road to Heaven”, is
the world’s highest railway. Beginning in Xining, the capital of
Qinghai Province, the railed pathway leads to Lhasa, the capital of
Tibet Autonomous Region. The line reaches its highest point at the
Tanggula Mountains, at 5,072 meters. China’s scientists and railway
engineers met and overcame many formidable challenges in the
construction of the QTR. Just a few of the many natural hurdles:
frozen soil, severe cold, lack of oxygen at high altitudes, and
protecting the fragile ecological environment. On July 1, 2006, the
QTR formally went into service for a trial run and the “Roof of the
World” was crossed by train.
In vivid
words and photographs, this album depicts many of the sentiment-rich
scenes that took place during the Princess’s visit to the
Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Expressed through more than 100 wonderful
images are Her Royal Highness’s profound friendship with the Chinese
people, and the Chinese people’s respect and esteem for the
Princess. Especially heart-warming was Her Royal Highness’s meeting
with the children she sponsors and supports at Lhasa Middle School.
For those present, that meeting will remain an unforgettable scene.
And now that touching moment is memorialized and shared within this
volume.
To those
who turn these pages, the album also presents the magical scenery of
the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, as well as the region’s fascinating
history and colorful culture. The stirring images also exhibit the
rapid development of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in the course of
China’s modernization, and evidence the brighter future that awaits
Tibet.
Also
intended as a token of friendship between China and Thailand, the
album is symbolic of the real and ever stronger friendship that
exists between our two nations. The close neighbors of China and
Thailand enjoy a traditional friendship based on blood ties, and we
share a similar cultural background. Since the establishment of
Sino-Thai diplomatic ties 32 years ago, the two nations have
demonstrated mutual understanding and trust, despite dramatic
changes in international dynamics. Through close cooperation, this
bilateral relationship has progressed smoothly; in a positive
direction. Our two nations remain good friends, trusting neighbors,
and cooperative partners. China’s press and publishing personnel
stand ready to coordinate and work together with their Thai
counterparts to further develop that friendship – to further benefit
the people of both nations.
China
International Publishing Group (CIPG) is one of the largest
publishing organizations in China. CIPG comprises nine book
publishing houses and five periodical publishing houses. Each year
three thousand varying volumes and 24 periodicals in 20 languages
are published and distributed to more than 100 countries and
regions. Nearly 30 websites in ten languages are operated by CIPG,
and among these is www.china.org.cn, one of the best-known online
mediums in the nation.
The staff
and management of CIPG are proud of this album. We consider it a
privilege to have had the opportunity to dedicate our work to Her
Royal Highness and the great good she represents. And we
respectfully request that this offering of words and images will be
accepted as an expression of the friendship we feel, and the sincere
goodwill we hold, for the people of Thailand.
In
closing, I would like to express my heartfelt wish that Her Royal
Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, Prime Minister Surayud
Chulanont, Ambassador Zhang Jiuhuan, and all our Thai friends here
today will always be in good health as they look to a bright future.
May the
friendship between our nations remain strong forever!
Thank
you!
-end-
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