Foreign Envoys Visit Ningxia

Diplomatic envoys from 50 countries in Asia, Africa and Europe started their two-day visit to northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region Sunday.

The visitors, most coming here for the first time, will find out more about the region's environmental protection, city construction in the region, and learn the policy of Ningxia government, which is a component of China's strategy of developing the western region.

Ma Qizhi, chairman of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Regional People's Government, said that Ningxia has improved its contact with foreign countries since China began to follow the reform and openning-up policy.

The region has contracted projects and provided labor service in more than 10 countries such as Egypt, Kuwait and Hungary, and the art troupes from Ningxia have toured more than 30 countries like Japan, France and the United States, he said, adding that Ningxia has built up trade relations with more than 60 countries and regions around the world.

Ma welcomes more foreign firms to make investment in the region. Abdul Majid, ambassador of Malaysia to China, said that the foreigners were prejudiced against the western regions of China, including Ningxia. However, as a result of the reform and openning-up drive, Yinchuan, the capital of Ningxia, now is clean, beautiful and modern.

The envoys arrived here Saturday from Xining, capital of Qinghai province.

During the envoys' stay in Qinghai, they visited Qinghai Lake, China's largest inland saltwater lake, and Ta'er monastery, a traditional Buddhist temple, and Longyangxia hydro-electric power station. They also studied the development of the local industry and the traditional Tibetan medicine.

Qinghai Governor Zhao Leji briefed the guests on the situation of the province, and welcomes foreign friends to visit his province and make investment.



People's Daily Online --- http://www.peopledaily.com.cn/english/