¡¡¡¡With the achievements made in the Year of Ram, we usher in the Year
of Monkey. On the occasion of the approaching Chinese Lunar New Year,
I have the honor, on behalf of the Foshan citizens, to pay a New Year
call on the Internet upon the overseas Foshanese and Hong Kong, Macao
and Taiwan compatriots. Wish everyone a happy New Year, good health,
happy family and success in career!
¡¡¡¡Year 2003 is out of the ordinary in its development. Last year,
under the new administrative system of ¡°one city governing five districts¡±,
Foshan has started an upsurge of building a lovely homestead, with
the objective to build a city with industrial strength, a culturally
famous city and a modernized metropolis. The whole city presents a
new scene of speeding up the construction of a modernized metropolis
all in one mind. Last year, Foshan witnessed a more rapid economic
growth, enhanced development momentum, progressed social undertakings,
healthy and pleasant livelihood. Foshan¡¯s GDP stood at 138.139 billion
RMB, up 16.1%, with GDP per capita reaching 40,800 RMB, up 15.9%.
Last year, the development of industrial parks boomed with thriving
introduction of foreign capital and attraction of foreign investment.
Foreign investment in actual use grew by 20% to 1.22 billion USD.
Export business made historic breakthrough by diversified strategy.
Foshan¡¯s gross export value amounted to 10.23 billion USD, a 29.6%
rise. Last year, the city stepped up the construction of a modernized
metropolis and started the construction of Ten Main Projects. The
total investment in fixed assets came to 42.251 billion RMB, representing
an increase of 45.5% over the previous year. Last year, the city has
integrated the public resources of public transport and post, removed
28 toll stations and unified the area code by increasing the telephone
numbers from 7 to 8. All these practices have helped cut the charges
between districts, helped improve the investment environment and facilitated
people¡¯s lives, thus improving the city image. Last year, government
service was enhanced, administrative efficiency was improved and investment
environment was further optimized. At present, thanks to the regular,
uncorrupted and open government, the efficient, quality and facilitated
services, the pleasant living environment, the honest, faithful and
hospitable human environment, as well as the sound business environment,
Foshan has increasingly become a great place to make investment and
do business for people at home and abroad
¡¡¡¡Foshan today, with society stable and all business prosperous,
has become a vibrant city full of business opportunities, a city
blended with historical heritage and modern spirit, a city boasting
its flourishing economy and culture. Foshan¡¯s development is inseparable
from the concern and support of the compatriots abroad, in Hong
Kong, Macao and Taiwan. Every progress we made embodies your love
to the hometown and your support to the construction of Foshan.
I wish to take this opportunity to express our heartfelt thanks
and highest considerations to you, and through you, to all the overseas
Chinese and friends around the world who have shown great concern
and support to the construction and development of Foshan.
¡¡¡¡Year 2004 is an ¡°implementation year¡± for all development programs
in Foshan. It¡¯s a year when we push ahead with all-round construction.
It¡¯s a vital year when new achievements will be made in the construction
of a city with industrial strength, a culturally famous city and
a modernized metropolis. Looking forward to 2004, as the economic
globalization presses on, and the Guangzhou-Foshan metropolitan
circle, Pearl River Delta economic zone and Greater PRD economic
zone take shape, in particular, with the implementation of CEPA
(Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement between Guangdong, Hong
Kong and Macau), Foshan has entered a rapid track for its economic
development and modernized city construction. This is an unprecedented
opportunity that Foshan has ever met. In the new year, Foshan will
go all out to push ahead with the construction of industrial parks,
to make the backbone industries and leading enterprises larger and
stronger, to speed up the development of hi-tech industry and the
transformation of traditional industry, to promote the optimization
and upgrading of industries, finally rejuvenating the city with
strong industries. In the new year, by well developing industrial
parks, Foshan will redouble its efforts to attract foreign investment
and introduce foreign capital. The city will energetically develop
the private economy, expand export, and actively explore the domestic
and overseas market, which will promote a coordinated development
of the economy domestic and overseas. In the new year, the city
will start the upsurge of building the framework and rudiment for
a modernized metropolis. The implementation of the strategies of
¡°revitalizing the city by technology and science¡±, ¡°strengthening
the city with education¡± and building a culturally famous city will
push Foshan to a higher level. In addition, the acceleration of
the financial investment system reform, the industrialization and
urbanization in rural areas, as well as other social management
reform, will release the huge potential of Foshan¡¯s development.
¡¡¡¡In the new year, the construction and development of Foshan provide
abundant business opportunities, vast market and good opportunities
for development. The mass compatriots abroad, in Hong Kong, Macao
and Taiwan are of the same root with its native people. I¡¯m confident
that, with your intelligence, professional knowledge, and your own
strength, you will find out much more opportunities here. People
in the hometown hope that you will as always participate in and
support the construction of Foshan and start your business on this
soil. We hope that you will further play your role as a bridge linking
Foshan and the other parts of the world, to promote Foshan, showcase
Foshan and enhance the cooperation between Foshan and your regions
in areas of science, technology, culture, economy and trade. Foshan
Municipal Government and the fellow citizens will continue to keep
in mind that ¡°everyone is the investment environment¡±, and manage
to optimize and upgrade the investment environment, in an effort
to make Foshan an ideal place for your business and success.
¡¡¡¡In the new year, at the fresh starting point, Foshan is striding
towards a new chapter of opening and prosperity. Over five million
people in hometown cordially welcome you to visit hometown more
often and renew our friendship. Let¡¯s work with one heart and one
mind, and join our hands to make Foshan more charming and achieve
brighter success!
|
