Your Excellency Mr. M. V. Rajasekharan,

Your Excellency Mr. Krishan

Distinguished guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good evening! I'm very glad to be here to inaugurate the Photo Exhibition: Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, in the beginning of this cheerful year. First of all I would like to express my sincere thanks to friends of China-India Friendship Association, who spared no efforts working with my colleagues for the smooth launch of the exhibition.

On 13th July, 2001, Mr. Samaranch, the then President of the International Olympic Committee announced that Beijing was selected as the Host City for the 29th Olympic Games in 2008. At the news, the 1.3 billion Chinese people were thrown into a most heightened jubilation. This was also one of the most memorable moments in my life.

Six years having passed, the world has witnessed the biggest Olympic campaign taking place in China and Beijing is ready to embrace athletes and spectators from every part of the world.

The theme of the Beijing Games is "one world, one dream". It is the hope of the government and the people of China that Beijing Olympic Games would make its contributions to the promotion of understanding and friendship among the nations and peoples, and to the building of a harmonious world of durable peace and common development through sports competition. Chinese people are looking forward to working with people from all over the world to realize this dream.

In this sense, Beijing Olympic Games is not only related to China, but also to the rest of Asia and the entire world. India, our close neighbor, will also contribute to the Beijing Olympic Games by hosting the Torch Relay in April. I'm happy to see that both sides are actively cooperating with each other to make this important event smooth and successful.

About two weeks ago, Dr. Manmohan Singh, Indian Prime Minister, made a successful visit to China. The leaders of our two countries were committed to promoting the building of a harmonious world through further advancing the Strategic Cooperative Partnership for Peace and Prosperity. During the visit, Dr. Singh also took time out of his busy schedule to tour the Beijing Olympic Project Exhibition Centre. On the occasion he extended his very best wishes to the success of the Games.

As known to all, India will host the grand event of 2010 Commonwealth Games. The Indian government has already begun the countdown for the preparation of the Games. It is high time for China and India to learn from each other and cooperate with each other for the common objective.

I am very grateful to all of you for attending this photo show. I hope this event will contribute to the enhancement of Olympic spirits, showcasing the preparation work of Beijing Games and providing a platform to allow both sides to work jointly to make the 2008 Olympic Games a great success.

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a happy and prosperous Chinese New Year. 10 days later the Year of Mouse will begin. It is considered an auspicious starting point of a new round of 12 years. I wish it would be also an auspicious and much-blessed new beginning for all of you and for our two nations!

Thank you!