Your Excellency Minister Vivian Balakrishnan,

Parliamentary Secretary Mr. Teo Ser Luck,

Mr. Ng Ser Miang,

Friends from the diplomatic corps,

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and gentlemen:

Good evening.

First of all, I would like to extend the warmest welcome to Minister Vivian Balakrishnan and all other friends present here for attending this Dinner Reception for the 2008 Olympic Games and Related Picture Exhibition.

Today is history; because the Flame Lighting Ceremony for the Beijing Olympic Games just falls on today, and also because, for the first time in the Olympic history, a Chinese will run the second leg of the torch relay in ancient Olympia, Greece, where the flame is lit. The Olympic Flame will pass through 19 cities on five continents,113 cities on the Chinese mainland,Hong Kong and Macao before arriving in Beijing for the start of the 2008 Olympic Games on August 8.

The Beijing 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games are a grand world gathering of peace, friendship and unity. The theme of the 2008 Olympics -- "One World, One Dream" embodies the essence and universal values of the Olympic spirit -- unity, friendship, progress, harmony, participation and dream. Inspired by the Olympic ideals, it is a manifestation of the common wishes of mankind to strive for a bright future for this planet, our common motherland. Despite differences in cultures, languages and races, people from all over the world will gather in China and Beijing, in particular, to share the charm and joy of the Olympic Games and promote understanding, friendship and cooperation between each other. It will resonate again and again during the 2008 Olympics that we belong to the same world and we share the same aspirations and dreams. Therefore, the 2008 Olympics are not only ours but more importantly the world's at large.

That said, the 2008 Olympics are also cherished by the Chinese people as an opportunity to further deepen China's friendship and cooperation with other peoples around the world and help the world see and experience China's latest development in the economic, cultural and social fields in a more vivid and comprehensive way. In particular, more refreshing lights will be shed on the host city ----Beijing as an open, modernized, civilized and vigorous metropolis. The same is true with Hong Kong, where the equestrian games will be held. There are only 137 days to go before the 2008 Olympics start. The Chinese people are maximizing their passions and efforts in order to deliver a grand event of "Green Olympics, Hi-Tech Olympics, People's Olympics" for the whole world. It is sincerely hoped that Beijing Olympic Games will be an event with distinguished features, leaving a unique legacy for both China and world sport as a whole.

The multi-dimensional China-Singapore relations are as good as never before. It goes without saying that in the field of sport, our two countries have a lot to share and learn from each other. Singapore leaders will be present at the Beijing Olympics as our honorable guests. Minister Vivian Balakrishnan will lead the Singapore Team there. We are looking forward to receiving other Singaporean friends as well. To my knowledge, there are also Singaporean volunteers contributing to the Beijing Olympics. We thank you for your support. We also wish the Singapore Team all the best.

On the night of February 21, Singapore was overjoyed at winning the right to host the inaugural Youth Olympics in 2010. That was the historic moment for Singapore. I sincerely and fully shared your joy. Losing no time, I sent my heartfelt congratulations to President Nathan, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Minister Vivian Balakrishnan and other Singapore friends, and offer China's support and assistance in your effort to present the best inaugural Youth Olympics. Tonight, I would like to reaffirm that offer and express my confidence that the two respective Olympics in Beijing and Singapore will be equally remarkable and successful. Our cooperation in this regard will undoubtedly serve to further enhance China-Singapore relations.

Ladies and gentlemen, let's join hands and make concerted efforts for the success of the Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games, for the healthy development of Olympic Movement and for an ever deepening friendship and cooperation between China and Singapore.

Thank you.