H. E. Dr. Karan Singh,

H. E. Mr. Jiang Zhenghua,

Doctors,

Friends,

I feel honoured to be here with you today for the launching ceremony of the visit to India by Chinese Medical Team. I wish to extend my warm welcome to Mr. Jiang Zhenghua, an old friend of India and the Chairman of the China-India Friendship Association and members of his delegation.

Today's launching ceremony is a very significant event in the relationship between China and India. Early this year, leaders of our two countries made an important decision that a joint medical team be formed to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Indian medical team which went to China to provide medical services to the Chinese people in the war of resistance against Japanese aggression. During his visit to China last January, Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao personally launched this program. The Indian medical team has successfully completed its mission in China. Today we are happy to see that the Chinese medical team has arrived in India. The mutual visits of the Chinese and Indian medical teams will not only provide free medical treatments to people of our two countries, but also carry forward the noble spirit of international humanitarianism.

There goes an old Chinese saying, "A drop of water is a blessing that calls for a whole spring in return." Today we Chinese still vividly remember the five-member Indian medical team who offered their selfless help and outstanding medical skills to the Chinese people during time of need. Dr. Kotnis even sacrificed his young life for the cause of Chinese people. The members of the Chinese medical team are all from where Dr. Kotnis once lived and worked when he was in China. Their visit is a concrete step of implementing the consensus reached by the leaders of our two countries. I believe they will do their utmost to provide the best medical service to the Indian people. At the same time, they will help promote mutual understanding and friendship between China and India.

On this important occasion, I wish to express my appreciation to Mr. Jiang Zhenghua, Dr. Karan Singh as well as their respective organizations. Over the years, both sides have joined efforts in promoting the overall friendly relations between China and India, especially in the fields of culture, tourism, people to people exchanges, etc. We have witnessed a strong momentum of interaction in these fields in recent years and enjoyed the benefits of such interactions. Following the opening of the Chinese Tourism Office in New Delhi last year, India inaugurated its own in Beijing last April. Exchanges of youth delegations of two countries on a yearly basis are going on smoothly. Only weeks ago, the Tianjin Acrobatic Troupe, co-sponsored by the Chinese Cultural Ministry and ICCR, brought much delight to Indian people. Furthermore, in 2010 China will host the Year of India and India will host the Year of China. The Chinese side is also looking forward to receiving Dr. Karan Singh to visit China next year. I am sure, through such frequent exchanges, the future of China-India relations will be more enriched and colourful, the mutual trust and friendship will be greatly enhanced, which will provide a solid basis for China and India to further develop our Strategic Cooperative Partnership.

Finally, I wish Chairman Jiang Zhenghua and the medical team will have a successful and fruitful visit in India!