Home > More Topics > Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of China-EU Relations
Remarks by H.E. Ambassador Yang Yanyi, Head of the Chinese Mission to the EU at the Opening of China-EU Friendship Table Tennis Tournament
2015-06-01 21:31

It gives me great pleasure to attend the Opening of the China-EU Friendship Table Tennis Tournament.

I wish to extend my warm welcome to all our dear Chinese and European athletes and thank the Euroclub for its excellent preparations and meticulous arrangements in co-organizing the event, the Logis Auderghem for kindly providing the venue and our sponsors for their generosity and support.

As demonstrated by last year's China-EU Friendship Table Tennis Tournament, such exercise serves many purposes.

First, it facilitates forging understanding and friendship among peoples, officials, diplomats, entrepreneurs, correspondents and academics alike.

Second, it provides a window of opportunity for our Chinese and European colleagues to showcase their talent. Indeed, other than being good at work, you also excel in such sport as table tennis and probably all departments of your game.

Third, it promotes experience sharing and exchanges of skills and fosters closer rapport among table tennis players.

Fourth, it helps us to identify new talents. Through last year's tournament, the teenage Belgian girl Lindsay outstandingly proved herself to be a future seed in table tennis and was warmly recruited by the Capital University of Sport of China. Lately, in a letter in Chinese addressed to Minister Councilor Li Jianmin of the Chinese Mission, Lindsay said that she is making remarkable progress not only in table tennis but also in Chinese and she requested to extend her stay in China to further upgrade her skill. In this connection, I wish to salute Minister Councilor Li Jianmin and coach Mr. Wang Dayong for their kind recommendation and coach Wang Dayong for his generous guidance and strict training.

Last but not least, most importantly, it generates greater interest in table tennis as an economical indoor sport for fitness. It is heart-warming to see the overwhelming responses and the enthusiastic spirit in all the participants. That so many people signed up for today's event speaks volume of the attraction of this tournament.

Well, we use to have a catch-phrase in China for sport: Friendship first, competition second. I hope you associate yourself with this. I am certainly not suggesting that you sacrifice your competence for friendship. I hope and believe that all our athletes will go all out in the competition for championship. Whether or not you will be the final winners you all deserve the honor of champions of friendship.

I am sure your participation and efforts will make tournament a great success and today's event will contribute to the celebration of the 40th anniversary of China-EU diplomatic relations.

Thank you very much and good luck to you all.

Suggest to a friend:   
Print