President Wolfensohn, distinguished guests:

First of all, let me give my appreciation to the World Bank, Ministry of Finance and State Council Informatization Office for their support and concern for China Development Gateway (chinagate.com.cn). Efforts from all sides have contributed to this initial achievement today. I'm fully confident of the future of the China Development Gateway, for the Internet represents a right orientation in spreading knowledge, sharing experience and promoting development.

The encouraging speeches by World Bank President Wolfensohn and Finance Minister Xiang Huaicheng remind me of a true story I told last year. In the Yimeng mountainous area of Shandong Province, east China, there are five women over 70, the oldest one of whom is 77 years old. They lived on making pancakes for decades, but they were poor. About two years ago, they happened to learn about the Internet, so they asked others to set up six webpages for them to sell pancakes. Consequently, their business began expanding. Now they have gotten out of poverty and have set up an enterprise of their own. Their story exemplifies the importance of the Country Development Gateway project supported by the World Bank and offers proof of the unique role of the Internet in eliminating poverty and promoting development. I hope the China Development Gateway can effectively play its role in this regard, and through it, I hope, friends around the world will know more about China and Chinese people, thus enhancing the friendship between Chinese and all the world's people.

The State Council Information Office will continue to attach great importance to and actively support the growth of the China Development Gateway. I hope the website will become better, with distinctive Chinese characteristics, and embody the wisdom of international cooperation, thus turning into an example for other country development gateways. China's joining the Development Gateway Foundation assures a positive future for the continued progress of the China Development Gateway. The State Council Information Office for its part will make positive contributions to realizing the goals set by the Development Gateway Foundation.

Thank you. Thank you for your presence here today.

(china.org.cn May 28, 2002)