Mr. Chairman,

Distinguished Representatives,

It gives me great pleasure to speak at the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States at this historic moment. First, on behalf of the Government of the People's Republic of China, I wish to thank the Chairman of the Permanent Council and the distinguished representatives for the important decision today to accept China as a permanent observer to the OAS.

China attaches high importance to the OAS. On behalf of the Chinese Government, H.E. Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing officially applied to the OAS fro the permanent observer status for China with the OAS on March 10 this year. As an important political organization in the western hemisphere, the OAS is playing an active and important role in maintaining regional stability and security, advancing peace and development, and promoting regional integration. China's status of permanent observer to the OAS will provide a new platform for the exchanges and cooperation between China and American states. This will be helpful in our joint efforts to further develop cooperation in all fields, and to make important contribution to peace, stability and prosperity in the Americas and the world at large.

At the beginning of the 21^st century, the world situation is undergoing profound changes, and peace and development are faced with both new opportunities and challenges. China and American states are seperated by a vast ocean, but in no way can this obstruct our efforts to strenghen exchanges, enhance friendship, draw upon each other's strong points, and develop cooperation. China and OAS members share a wide range of interests in maintaining peace and promoting development, and our cooperation promises broad prospects. The Chinese side will take real actions to actively promote its cooperation with the OAS so as to realize common development.

Thank you.