Oleh/By		:	DATO' SERI DR. MAHATHIR BIN MOHAMAD 
Tempat/Venue 	: 	HANGZHOU, CHINA 
Tarikh/Date 	: 	25/11/85 
Tajuk/Title  	: 	A LUNCHEON IN HANGZHOU 




 Excellencies; Distinguished Guests; 

Ladies and Gentlemen.

When my visit to China was being planned back in Kuala Lumpur some months
ago, it was suggested that I make it a point to visiti Hangzhou since it
has been long known as one of the most beautiful and scenic cities in
China. Having toured the famed West Lake this morning, I must say that I
am glad I came to Hangzhou.

Excellency, 

2. Hangzhou's scenic beauty has, to my mind, been enhanced by the warm
welcome and generous hospitality that Your Excellency and the Government
and people of Hangzhou have accorded to my wife and I and members of my
delegation. For this please allow me to express my appreciation and
gratitude.

3. I understand that Hangzhou is not just a scenic city. It also serves as
the hub of an important industrial and agricultural province of
China. Zhejiang Province, I am told, ranks 8th in China in terms of
foreign exchange earnings from handling exports on a provincial basis
while Hangzhou is one of the country's ten major industrial cities. With
this in mind, the entrepreneurs and businessmen in my delegation are
therefore keen to take the opportunity of our visit here to have business
discussions with their counterparts. Malaysia imports many agricultural
products from China but we have long complained about the lack of direct
trade. It is my hope that the business discussions that are scheduled to
take place later on could result in more direct trade between Malaysia and
China.

4. I also note that the policy of modernisation which your Central
Government is implementing with such success also has a definite impact in
this city. I have been informed that all sectors of the provincial economy
are undergoing transformation and change. As the Prime Minister of a
country that is itself modernising and industrialising, I sense that there
are many opportunities for economic cooperation between Malaysia and
Zhejiang Province. Indeed the Hangzhou Hotel stands testimony to such
co-operation. Again it is my hope that the business discussions later this
afternoon will explore avenues to further enhance this co-operation.

5. Before I conclude, may I once again thank Your Excellency and the
Government of Zhejiang Province for the warm welcome, the lavish
hospitality and for this sumptuous luncheon in our honour. 
May I now invite you all to join me in a toast to:- 
- the good health of His Excellency 
- to the success of Hangzhou's and Zhejiang's economic development 
- and to the further development of mutually beneficial ties between
Malaysia and this Province.

Thank you.