Last year, tightly seizing the opportunity of China’s accession to the WTO, Foshan made innovations in a pioneering spirit and kept forging ahead. New development has been made in our economy and all social undertakings. The comprehensive economic capacity is reinforced. Based on the 100 billion RMB GDP breakthrough in 2001, Foshan’s GDP is estimated to reach 116.866 billion RMB in 2002, up 11.3%, with the GDP per capita reaching 35,000 RMB. The city continues to open wider to the outside world, with a 24.1% increase in total export volumes, reaching 7.89 billion US dollars. Foreign capital in actual use comes to 1 billion US dollars, up 57.2%. We continue to deepen the reforms in various sectors, improve our environment, and advance science and education. Society remains stable and people’s living standards and quality of life have been improved substantially. Foshan today has become one of the regions in the Pearl River Delta that embraces rapid economic development, high economic capacity and strong comprehensive strength. It lays a solid foundation for Foshan to build a better-off society in an all-round way and to take the lead in basically achieving modernization drive.

　　All the achievements that Foshan has made is inseparable from the concern and support shown by our compatriots abroad and in Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. Wherever you are, you, as a Foshan native, always keep in mind your hometown and actively participate in the construction and development of Foshan. Every progress that Foshan made embodies your love for hometown and your support to the construction of Foshan. I wish to take this opportunity to present my compliments and express my heartfelt thanks to all the Foshanese abroad and in Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, and by the courtesy of you, to those overseas Chinese and foreign friends who have shown concerns and support to the development of Foshan.

　　2003 is a vital year when Foshan is presented with greater opportunities and starts greater development. At present, Foshan has undergone the readjustment of its administrative regions, and is running a new administrative system where the City has administration over Chancheng District, Shunde District, Nanhai District, Sanshui District and Gaoming District. This readjustment opens a new chapter of Foshan history. In light with the plan made by the Guangdong Provincial Government, Foshan starts on a journey towards the third largest city of Guangdong Province. It will surely make greater contributions in building Guangdong into a strong province in terms of economic growth and culture advance. With such expectation and opportunities we face, Foshan will unswervingly carry out the strategy of rejuvenating the city by building up its industries. We are going to further integrate the resources, optimize the investment environment, step up the pace of development and improve our overall strength. In the highly competitive situation, Foshan will forge ahead and strive for the best. At present, the Guangzhou-Foshan subway has started construction. A sophisticated highway network begins to be built. Series of plans for industry development, city development, environmental protection, culture and education undertakings are being made and perfected. In our hometown Foshan, there starts a new round of development.

　　In the new round of development, Foshan will strengthen its economic cooperation and trade ties with other regions around the world on a larger scale, in wider fields and at higher levels. This is bound to present overseas investors with a broader market and rich opportunities. Our compatriots abroad, in Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan enjoy exceptional advantages that they are conversant with the operation of global market economy, and well acquainted with the traditional culture of the homeland. We hope that the vast overseas Chinese and Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan compatriots continue to play your parts in supporting the hometown development and develop your business on this soil. We also hope that you will continue to serve as a bridge linking Foshan and other parts of the world, to introduce Foshan and promote Foshan, finally pushing forward the cooperation and exchanges in the fields of economy, science, technology and culture. Foshan Municipal Government and its over three million fellow citizens are committed to optimizing the investment environment and providing quality service for your business development.

　　On festival occasions more than ever we think of our compatriots abroad, in Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. We warmly welcome our townees to visit Foshan more often and join us in making our hometown - Foshan a bright future.