Speech at the Signing Ceremony of the Exchange Agreement between China Profiles of the All-China Youth Federation and the Council of Youth Organization of Pusan

　　By Yang Xiaohuai Standing Member of the All-China Youth FederationPresident of China Profiles

　　Mr Lee Sangyui and all friends from Korea; Mr Zhu Weiqun; Mr Zhang Guoxiang; Ms Huang Danhua; and all of the guests and friends present:

　　I want to express my sincere gratitude for the warm words that Mr Lee Sangyui, Chairman of the Council of Youth Organizations of Pusan, has just presented.

　　For both China and South Korea, 2002 is an uncommon year not only because the 14th Asian Games are to be held in Pusan, but also because it is the 10th anniversary of established diplomatic relations between our two countries. It is a coincidence that this friendly exchange is held on this very occasion. The agreement reached between us may be the first cultural exchange treaty signed between our two countries during this 10th anniversary of formal relations, evidence of the crucial advancement made by China Profiles and the Council of Youth Organization of Pusan.

　　During this era of globalisation, many unprecedented problems plague press operators. The primary problem is how to maintain and develop our own intrinsic cultural extract of all nations.

　　World history tells us the scrabble for survival and materials can breed war andconflicts, but so can differences in cultures and values.

　　Rich countries are not necessarily culturally wealthy, and the value systems advocated by powerful countries may not fit in other nations.

　　The technical criteria coded by the developed countries has swept over the worldin a startlingly quick manner. But the historical existence of a nation lays in its culture -- not the monetary dazzle, to say nothing of the whistling of missiles.

　　For any nation to survive the wash of history, it must be unique in its culture.Only by keeping pace with time, absorbing the influence of advanced foreign cultures, and maintaining its own cultural features can a nation survive during this era of globalisation.

　　When I say maintaining national culture, it doesn't mean a straight closed-door policy, but rather enriching one's national features by absorbing influences fromadvanced foreign cultures.

　　Both the Chinese and the Koreans are great peoples who have survived the historical test and become stronger and stronger even after the strike of foreign aggression over the last two centuries. It is a good example for cultural exchange thatChina and Korea have both maintained their own intrinsic cultures as well as learned from each other for thousands of years.

　　Affiliated with the All-China Youth Federation, China Profiles strives to promote international cultural exchanges. We are happy that we have organized young artists to participate the Asian Youth Art Festival held in South Korea in 1996 and 1997 and made a wealth of Korean friends.

　　Today, under the far-sighted leadership of the All-China Youth Federation, I am privileged to sign this cultural exchange agreement with Mr Lee. It is another large international cultural exchange program. The occasion is unique and the agreement is special. Exchanges between our countries will increase, as will our friendship. It is right that we should feel a sense of history and responsibility in the promising course we are undertaking. I believe that the youth of both sides can learn much from each other, and make contributions to world peace and development.

　　Thank you, Mr Lee, Thank you, Chairwoman Huang, Thank you all.