Deputy Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong,
Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen:
I believe most of us get our first know of Suzhou from a famous saying: Up above there is Paradise, Down here there are Suzhou and Hangzhou. Indeed,  Suzhou, by its name, reminds us of its bucolic scene of stone bridges overarching the rivulets, black-tile roofs capping the whitewashed walls, fisher boat lights dotting the maple-covered banks, and evening chimes reverberating the dynasty-old temples. Its beauty once captured and fascinated many people that would stay there forever, to be soaked in its natural and cultural charm. The town itself was the pride of its people.
Today, Suzhou is more mentioned for its Industrial Park. Sitting on the Jin Ji Lake, the park has become a blooming attraction of the city since its foundation in 1994, owing largely to the enormous efforts and contributions of the leaders and partners from both China and Singapore. The park adds a heavy stroke on Suzhou’s already-colorful canvas. It is a showpiece cadenza in the China-Singapore symphony. It is now a new pride of the Suzhou people.
The steady growth of the Suzhou Industrial Park has been happily followed by more success in our joint ventures in Dalian, Shanghai, Fuzhou, Guangzhou and Henan. Our rapport in economy and trade is expanding from the East of China to the West and is also upgrading from traditional sectors to knowledge-based industries. It is again happily followed by successes in fields other than economy and trade. The two governments and peoples, with strong motivation and courage to catch the trend the times, will bring our friendship and cooperation to greater depth the breadth. I wish the auspicious beginning will presage all-round prosperity and progress in the upcoming Year of Horse.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
May I quote another Chinese saying, this one for tonight’s performance in particular. A trickle of favor shall be rewarded by a fountain. “Gan Jiang and Mo Ye” is a token of the profound gratitude and appreciation of Suzhou to Singapore’s government and people, presented by the delegation led by Suzhou party secretary Mr. Chen Deming. I believe it is much more expressive and convincing than a mass of fortune. I hope you will enjoy it and have a wonderful time. Thank you.