"A friend in the far corners of the earth can feel close
as a neighbor."This beautiful line from the pen of an ancient
Chinese  poet depicts a scene no longer imaginary, for it has
become, through the Internet, a reality that we can see, hear
and touch on our computer screens. By means of this  network,
the opening of the  Internet  1996  World  Exposition will be
transmitted,in the audio-visual splendor of multimedia,facets
of the culture, education, science and technology,  industry,
transportation,and tourism of participating nations to people
worldwide.Thus, mankind has shattered the barrier of national
boundaries  and  taken a big  stride toward creating a global 
village.
     Located in the Western Pacific, the Republic of China is
among the first  25 nations that registered to participate in
the  Internet  1996  World  Exposition.  As  an  exporter  of
information  products ,the  ROC's  total  production in  this
sector has shot up to the world's third highest;  which means
that you can find our information products worldwide wherever
there are  Internet users.  It also shows  that the people in
the  Republic  of  China,  with their  hands and brains, have
contributed greatly to the arrival of the information age.
     At present, the  Republic of  China is proceeding with a
massive, cross-century project to reconfigure our environment
on political, cultural, social, and  various other levels, in
order  that  we  may,   based  on  the  central  thoughts  of
internationalization and liberalization,  develop our economy
and promote regional cooperation, world peace,and prosperity.
This project is the  Asia-Pacific regional operations center.
The  ROC  has  a  firm  manufacturing  base,  an abundance of
high-quality human resources, a strong capital market, and  a
healthy domestic market. Moreover,we are located in a pivotal
position  for sea  and air transport,  and have fortified our
base through economic reforms. Give these qualifications, and
our linguistic advantages in the Asia-Pacific environment, we
are confident that we are on track to become an  Asia-Pacific
regional operations center.
     Already,  we  are  an  exporter of capital,  with  US$60 
billion  in  total  outward  investment. This figure includes 
US$40 billion invested in the  Asia-Pacific region,  of which
US$24 billion  went to the  Chinese  mainland,  demonstrating
that our plan to become an  Asia-Pacific  regional operations
center  is  geared  towards Southeast Asia  and  the  Chinese
mainland.We are willing to serve as an arbitrator of regional
resources  between  the developed  and developing nations and
will do our best to  promote regional mutual  beneficence and
progress and strive for world peace and prosperity.
     We wish to demonstrate our  friendship and  sincerity on
the Internet and join hands with friends abroad to welcome  a
bright and glorious 21st century. 
     I wish the greatest success to the Internet  1996  World 
Exposition.