John Howard, prime minister of Australia
It gives me great pleasure to extend my best wishes to the management, staff
and readers of China Daily on the occasion of the paper's 25th anniversary of
publication.
Australia's relationship with China has undergone a remarkable transformation
during this period, becoming increasingly close and mutually beneficial.
Trade between Australia and China has increased rapidly, driven by our
natural economic complementarities. In 2005 our bilateral trade was worth A$37.4
billion (US$28.5 billion), making China our second largest trading partner.
Australia is a stable and secure supplier of energy and resources that continue
to fuel China's impressive economic growth.
Australia and China have also developed strong people-to-people links that
will assist in drawing our countries closer together. China is now Australia's
largest source of international students and our second largest source of
migrants.
Australia will continue to work closely with China to enhance our bilateral
ties and pursue our shared goal of a stable and prosperous region.
I offer my congratulations to the China Daily on its 25th anniversary and
wish it continued success in the years to come.
General Pervez Musharraf, president of Islamic Republic of Pakistan
I am pleased to learn that China Daily is celebrating its 25th founding
anniversary on June 1, 2006. It is indeed a great milestone in the history of
the newspaper's publication.
Ever since its inception in 1981, China Daily has been playing an important
role in promoting goodwill and understanding between the People's Republic of
China and the world. Through its immaculate reporting on political, economic and
social developments, China Daily has successfully catered to the needs of a wide
variety of readers at home and abroad.
Pakistan and China are also celebrating the 55th anniversary of the
establishment of their diplomatic relations this year. Friendly co-operation
between the two countries is a model of good neighbourly relations. Our
relations have remained strong and constant for over half a century despite
changes in the domestic, regional and international environment. The valuable
contribution being made by China Daily in promoting friendship between Pakistan
and China is indeed commendable.
I take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt felicitations to China Daily
on the occasion of its 25th founding anniversary and wish the publishers and
editorial board of the premier newspaper every success in their future
endeavours.
Pascal Lamy, director-general of the World Trade Organization
Since its accession to the WTO, China has witnessed an impressive growth in
its economic and trade performance. China has become the world's third largest
trade entity and an important player in the world economy.
The increased integration of China into the world trading system has not only
benefited China, but also provided other WTO members with significant market
access opportunities. China's growth is instrumental to the development of
global trading.
As the biggest English language newspaper published in China, China Daily has
played an indispensable role in introducing a modern China to the world.
On the occasion of its 25th anniversary, I would like to take this
opportunity to wish China Daily every success in the future.
(China Daily 06/01/2006 page8)
