Oleh/By		:	DATO' SERI DR. MAHATHIR BIN MOHAMAD 
Tempat/Venue 	: 	XIAN, CHINA 
Tarikh/Date 	: 	26/11/85 
Tajuk/Title  	: 	A LUNCHEON IN XIAN 




Excellencies; Distinguished Guests; Ladies and Gentlemen.

First of all Excellency, may I, on behalf of my wife and members of my
delegation, express my appreciation and gratitude to you and the
Government of Shaanxi for the very warm welcome you have extended to
us. Though our visit to your historic city is but a short one, we will
take away with us some very pleasant memories of your friendship and
cordiality.

2. Excellency, in visiting Xian today, I am following a well-beaten path
taken by many visitors to your country in search of the ancient splendour
of early Chinese civilisation. I refer of course to what is now known as
the Qin Army Museum created by the man who built the Great Wall and
unified China, Qin Shi Huangdi, on whom is bestowed the title of "Founder
of the Chinese Nation". I look forward to my visit to that historic site
later this afternoon.

3. In recalling the achievements of this great Chinese Emperor, I note
that while he laid the groundwork for a uni- fied China, it took you many,
many years, and much toil and sacrifice to evolve the unity and sense of
nationhood that you now enjoy. This is an important lesson that we can all
draw from history. National unity does not come easily and it is often the
outcome of years of toil and sacrifice. We in Malaysia also embarked on
this task though much later, beginning with our independence in 1957. Our
task was complicated by the very diversity of our peoples. We hope that
the experience of your own struggle beginning with the first step taken by
Qin Shi Huangdi will forever render China supportive and sympathetic of
our own efforts at national unity.

4. Before I conclude, may I once again thank Your Excellency and the
Government of Shaanxi Province for receiving us so warmly and attentively
today.

5. May I now invite you all to join me in a toast to:- - the good health
of His Excellency - and to the future success and prosperity of this
historic city.

Thank you.