Your Excellency Under Secretary-General Launsky-Tieffenthal,

Professor Wang Linxu,

Dear Colleagues,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

First of all, I wish to offer warm congratulations to the Chinese Farmer Painting and Calligraphy Institute on holding the Chinese farmers’ painting exhibition at the United Nations. I am glad to forward the congratulations of Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who is now on his visit to China, on the opening of this exhibition.

The Chinese Farmer Painting and Calligraphy Institute was founded by Mr. Geng Biao, China’s well-known statesman, military strategist and diplomat. Mr. Geng often said, “Never forget farmers and always make concrete efforts to do things for their benefit.” Today, the Chinese farmer artists are making their debut at the United Nations. This exhibition not only showcases the talent and charisma of contemporary Chinese farmers, but also tells the world their Chinese dream and love for the world. This exhibition is what Mr. Geng would have loved to see, were he alive. This is also the best way for us to remember him.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

China is a developing country with an agricultural population of over 600 million. To promote agricultural development, benefit the rural areas and enable farmers to lead an affluent life has always been the top priority of the Chinese government. The new collective leadership in China has decided to pursue a new road of agricultural modernization with Chinese characteristics by steadily pushing forward the reforms in rural areas and realizing the integration of rural and urban development. President Xi Jinping stressed on many occasions that the key criterion for the realization of a moderately prosperous society for all Chinese is the well being of the farmers. China should strive to build a beautiful countryside where farmers can lead a better life.

To build a moderately prosperous society in all aspects, to realize the Chinese dream of great national rejuvenation--­­­­­­-these grand goals have greatly stimulated the creativity of Chinese farmer artists. They wielded their painting brushes to eulogize the new era of comprehensive deepening of reforms, to celebrate farmers’ new lives towards greater prosperity. These talented artists have created a large number of masterpieces. What is especially commendable of them is that they are not confined to just their own lives or things around them. They have cast their eye to the world. They care about the exchanges and blending of pluralistic cultures in the course of human civilization. They are devoted to promoting heart-to-heart interactions among peoples in the world. I am confident that this exhibition will help increase your understanding about China and promote the dialogue and exchanges among different civilizations.

I wish this exhibition great success.

Thank you.