Minister of the State Council Information Office Zhao Qizheng today
urged the
China
Development Gateway to play its role in the reduction of
poverty and promotion of development and pledged his support for
its growth while addressing the signing ceremony of the Memorandum
of Understanding on China's joining the Development Gateway
Foundation and the press conference for launching the China
Development Gateway. The full text of his speech follows:
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)