--- "Gentle breeze creeps over
the river smoothly, just like scenery in the fairyland;
clinking of the glasses reminds people of the happy memories,
and the friendship will be in their mind forever".
As the night approaches against skyscrapers along both
side of river lit by lingering lights, the serene and
charming Huangpu River is just like a colorful ribbon
spilling out from the sky, running forward in gentle ripples
through the beautiful city of Shanghai. On 7th November,
the closing ceremony of "Ministerial Seminar on Water
Resources and Small Hydropower for Developing Countries",
jointly sponsored by Ministry of Commerce and Ministry
of Water Resources, undertaken by HRC, was grandly held
on the pleasure-boat "SUN TECH" which had been
elaborately decorated on Shanghai Huangpu River. The rostrum
was decked with flowers, and the national flags of the
13 countries stood on one side of the conference hall
on the boat, LCD Television on both sides played the slide
show of the brilliant photos taken during the seminar.
With the melodious Chinese folk music Jasmine Flower,
well-dressed delegates entered into the conference hall.
At 18:30, Ms. Cheng Xialei, Director
of National Research Institute for Rural Electrification
/ Hangzhou Regional Center (Asia-Pacific) for Small Hydropower,
declared the beginning of the closing ceremony. Mr. Ye
Jianchun, Director-General of Taihu Basin Authority, firstly
delivered a speech. On behalf of Taihu Basin Authority,
Mr. Ye warmly welcomed all the officials of this seminar
to Shanghai for investigation and study, and congratulated
on the successfully fulfillment of the seminar. He also
expressed the willing to undertake technical exchange
with foreign and domestic institutions on the management
of water resources and the development of small hydropower,
and to establish cooperative partnership with them in
a wide range of areas. Finally, Mr. Ye Jianchun hoped
that the trip to China will leave all the officials a
wonderful memory.
On behalf of all the officials at the
seminar, Ms. HANNA BISSIW, Deputy Minister of Water Resources,
Works and Housing, Ghana, delivered a speech. She expressed
that she was honored and pleased to be the representative
of her country, Ghana to participate in this important
international seminar. In the speech, she said that "the
hospitality of our hosts for this week-long Ministerial
Seminar on Water Resources and Small Hydro Power (HRC)
is really welcoming and refreshing." "The key
objective of this Seminar was to avail delegates the unique
opportunity of being better acquainted with the Water
Resources Utilization and Small Hydro-power development
in China with the view to jointly promoting the development
and utilization of the Technology in our respective countries."
"My participation in this Ministerial Seminar today
is considered a significant milestone in furtherance of
the long political, economic and diplomatic relations
between Ghana and China in particular and participating
Sister countries, in general." "This Seminar
has been designed with modern pedagogical methodologies
including presentations, discussions, on-site-visits and
simulation modules considered suitable for a platform
of this caliber. I believe that my colleague delegates
would agree with me that, this Seminar is an eye opener,
thus providing us with a better understanding of Water
Resource Utilization and Small Hydro-power development
in China." "Our visit to various sites including
the National Water Museum, the Caoejiang Hydraulic Project,
the Small Hydro-Power Station in Jinhua and the Hydro-Power
Manufacturer, Three- George Hydro-Power Project, and the
Suzhouhe Tide Gate others are very impressive engineering
master pieces that can easily overwhelm first time visitors.
As Chinese you have indeed demonstrated your commitment
to your country and the welfare of your people. It clearly
demonstrates also the ability of the Chinese to apply
modern technology by developing Small Hydro-power systems
to ensure socio-economic growth and development."
"It is worth mentioning that, we have noted with
admiration during our field trips that, China has advanced
in the utilization of water resources and its management
which I believe could be traced to the policies and institutional
regulation of their use. It was indeed very mesmerizing
to behold how rivers have been dredged, well crafted and
linked up to create canals which serve as means of transportation
and also to ensure the sustainable use of Small Hydro-power
as a vehicle for national development." "I wish
to thank you once again especially the wonderful Seminar
Working Team, you made us feel at home we will surely
miss you." "Long Live the Friendship between
The People's Republic of China and the Developing Countries."
The sincere and passionate speech echoed in the hearts
of all other officials and received enthusiastic applause.
In the following step for free speeches,
Ms. VERA CATHERINE CHILEWANI, Deputy Minister of Malawi
Ministry of Natural Resources, Energy and Environment,
said: "While enjoying the beautiful night view along
Huangpu River, on behalf of the Malawian government and
all the participating officials, I would like to express
my sincere thanks to the organizing committee, the whole
team of HRC. I was a little bit hesitated when I first
accepted the invitation. I was in Addis Ababa and was
quite busy when they asked me to come to China for this
seminar. But at last, I thought it is a rare opportunity
for me to know more about China. When I came here, I realized
it's a serious seminar with love and care. When I informed
my colleagues about the courteous reception and thoughtful
care I received here, they wondered with admiration that
whether I am attending a seminar or enjoying a vacation,
The seminar is full of enthusiasm, love and care, which
I don't take for granted. I hope our country could carry
out further cooperation with China in the field of the
utilization of Water Resources. I firmly believe that
the support from Chinese Government to all the developing
countries will never end; the aid for developing countries
will benefit us more and go even further. Thank you, China!"
Ms. MUNAABA FLAVIA NABUGERE, Minister
of State for Environment, Ministry of Water and Environment
of Uganda, said: "I am very pleased and honored to
attend the Ministerial Seminar on Water Resources and
Small Hydropower for Developing Countries. On behalf of
the government of Uganda and all the officials present
here, I would like to express my gratitude to Chinese
government on the occasion of this well prepared and romantic
closing ceremony. I have been to Asia for several times,
Thailand for an example. And I just have attended the
Ministerial Seminar on Strengthening Cooperation of Forestry
(Bamboo) among China and Other Developing Countries which
was also sponsored by Chinese government. I have a good
stay here and I have had an unforgettable birthday party
organized by the working team of HRC, which was really
a very big surprise to me. Chinese government is a pioneer
among developing countries in the field of environment
treatment and water resources management, which is almost
100 years ahead than that of Uganda. The government of
Uganda has the great confidence in and strongly supports
the China's technology. I noted down the advanced experience
of China during this seminar and I will share it with
my colleagues after I come back to my country with the
hope to put China's experience and technology into practice
development. At the same time I hope that the Chinese
government will give us more support and invite more colleagues
of mine to come to China for various seminars and training
courses of this similar type so that we can bring back
more successful experience. My country won't always hope
the Chinese government to give us financial support, but
we urge more technological support."
Mr. HAMID ALI KHAN, Additional Secretary
with vice ministerial level, Ministry of Water and Power
of Pakistan, said: "Everyone asks me that if I feel
lonely here because Pakistan only sends me to attend this
seminar but at least two officials for other countries.
I can proudly tell you that the answer is "No".
China is my second hometown and Chinese people are my
brothers and sisters. The relationship between China and
Pakistan is historic and based on cooperation and trust.
China is a country of unique relationship with Pakistan,
and our relationship goes well beyond government level
to a people-to-people level. As a well-known saying goes
in our country, our relationship is higher than the Himalaya,
deeper than the sea and sweeter than honey. Long live
the Chinese government, long live Chinese people."
Two officials of Ministry of Irrigation
of Syria, Mr. ABDULLAH MTANES SAADA ALDAOUD, Director,
and Mr. HEKMAT HUSEIN ZARIFA HASSO, Vice Manager, said:
"We want to give my thanks to the organizer for their
thoughtful arrangement. Those presentations and study
visits are very valuable to us. Please allow us to extend
our gratitude to the sponsor, the Chinese government and
the organizer, HRC and all the participants in the same
field. On behalf of the Ministry of Water Resources of
Syria here, we would like to give HRC a gift to express
our thanks to HRC for their contribution in the field
of water resources for our developing countries."
Mr. HENG SOKKUNG, Under Secretary
of State, Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy of Cambodia,
said: "There are no words to express my gratitude
for HRC and the sponsors. I arrived here 9 days ago and
I feel very good. I would like to extend my gratitude
to the Chinese government, the sponsor of the seminar,
as well as to Director Cheng of HRC, the organizer. I
benefit a lot because I have learned a lot of new knowledge.
I also believe that China will be the most powerful country
in the world. I hope to establish a far-reaching cooperative
relationship with China and welcome Madam Cheng and her
team to come to Cambodia for more projects cooperation."
Applauses aroused when Mr. HENG SOKKUNG said that ¡°I hope
I am the last speaker."
Several Ministers gave gifts and souvenirs
to HRC.
Finally, on behalf of the organizer,
Director Cheng Xialei extended the congratulation to the
complete success of the seminar. She expressed her sincere
gratitude to all the officials for their kind understanding
and support to our work, and thanks also went to the Taihu
Basin Authority, MWR, for their good arrangement for our
stay in Shanghai. She hopeed to promote the communication,
deepen mutual understanding and strengthen the friendship
through this seminar. She also expected to make further
contribution to the effective utilization of water resources
and sustainable development of small hydropower in the
world based on joint efforts and more cooperation.
The farewell banquet began, and the
hosts and guests gave a toast to the complete success
of the seminar. A video "A Moment in Time" prepared
by HRC was played during the scene of the farewell banquet.
The ministers and officials, who had been serious and
worked intensively, felt at home and relaxed with those
wonderful and warm moments and melodious Chinese folk
music in the video. Here found their good memories in
China. They were very excited by the beautiful and magic
night view of the two sides of Huangpujiang River. This
was not only a seminar, an academic and technological
exchange platform, but also a witness to the mutual help
between China and other developing countries and the strengthening
friendship. Officials hug each other, drank toast after
toast and took pictures during the closing ceremony.
The friendship is so rare and so precious.
This is a moment to remember for the Huangpu River, for
China and the world. Our friendship is everlasting and
unchanging.
The leaders from Taihu Basin Authority,
including Mr. Lin Zexin, Deputy Director, Mr. Wu Zhiping,
Deputy Chief Engineer, Mr. Jia Genghua, Chief of Division
of Foreign Affairs, Science & Technology, also attended
the closing ceremony and the farewell banquet. The chiefs
of Division of Foreign Affairs & Training, Division
of International Cooperation, Science & Technology,
New-Tech R & D Center for M/S hydro of HRC, Mr Pan
Daqing, Mr Li Zhiwu, Mr Zhao Jianda and Mr Lin Ning, as
well as other HRC staff members were present at the closing
ceremony and the farewell banquet as well.
During the study visit in Shanghai,
all the participants of the seminar visited the Suzhouhe
Tide Gate, Shanghai Municipal History Museum, the Oriental
Pearl TV Tower and the Bund.(2011-11-11)
Ms. Cheng Xialei, Director of NRIRE(HRC)
presided over the closing ceremony and the farewell banquet
Mr. Ye Jianchun, Director of Taihu Basin
Authority of MWR, delivered a speech
As the representative of all officials,
Ms. HANA LOUISA BISIW, Deputy Minister of Water Resources
of Ghana, Works and Housing, delivered a speech
Ms. VERA CATHERINE CHILEWANI, Deputy Minister
of Energy and Mineral Resources of Malawi, gave a speech
Ms. MUNAABA FLAVIA NABUGERE, Minister
of State for Environment, Ministry of Water and Environment
of Uganda, gave a speech
Mr. HAMID ALI KHAN, Additional Secretary,
Ministry of Water and Power of Pakistan, gave a souvenir
to HRC
Two officials of Ministry of Irrigation
of Syria, Mr. ABDULLAH MTANES SAADA ALDAOUD, Director,
and Mr. HEKMAT HUSEIN ZARIFA HASSO, Vice Manager, gave
a souvenir to HRC
Mr. HENG SOKKUNG, Under Secretary of State,
Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy of Cambodia, gave
a souvenir to HRC
Group photo on the pleasure boat
Group photo of working staffs of HRC and
leaders of Taihu Basin Authority
Visit the central control room of Suzhouhe
Tide Gate
Group photo on the Bund
