尊敬的李宪生市长，世界各地友城的代表们，中方领导们：

首先，我诚挚地祝贺本届以"新世纪·友好与合作"为主题，由世界11个城市代表出席的"武汉国际友好城市发展论坛"的召开。十分荣幸能作为韩国清州市的代表参加此次论坛。我要向筹办本次活动的李宪生市长和武汉市的官员们致以由衷的谢意。他们使与会者得以实现真诚探讨与合作。
尊敬的各位代表：
　　当今世界正处于飞速变化之中。随着信息技术的进步和交通的发达，国与国的界线正在消失。世界日益多样化，使我们消除以往的思想纷争，相互接纳。外交方面同样如此。地方政府正逐步取代中央政府成为外交的主体。在单纯文化交流的同时，开始重视实质性的、经济上的外交目标。因此，各国地方城市间的合作性交流在考虑相互协作与无限竞争的同时，兼顾世界历史进程中的实际变化。
　　多年以来，清州市向世界敞开大门。以"世界级城市·幸福清州"为信条，与中国武汉市、日本鸟取市等国际友好城市展开了多种积极交流。
　　此外，1997年开放的清州国际机场继续高效率运营。目前已开通了中国上海、沈阳定期航班，并正在开辟中国北京、河北、日本大阪包机航线，从而逐步拓展成为通往亚洲东北部的门户。与此同时，去年，来自36个国家的代表参加了清州国际工艺博览会。代表们比较、评价、确认了众多参展作品的工艺水平。值得注意的是，2001年9月，清州市现存的世界上最古老的金属活字印刷一"直指"被联合国教科文组织正式收录为"世界文献遗产"。
　　尊敬的李宪生市长，世界各地友城的代表们，中方领导们：
　　1998年9月，武汉市与清州市签署了《友好城市及经济交流合作意向备忘录》。此后通过活跃的友好交流，两市于2000年10月29日举行了友好城市签字仪式。
　　武汉地处广袤中国大地的中部，积极主动的经济政策使其在中国的经济发展中起到至关重要的作用。
　　清州地处朝鲜半岛中部，基于其与武汉市的伙伴关系，清州在韩国的经济与文化中处于领先地位。
　　我真诚地感谢贵市教育、文化、经济领域的分管市长以及官员们对清州的多次访问。我们将通过相互交流，为不断巩固两市关系而努力。
　　尊敬的李宪生市长，以及为了"新世纪·友好与合作"而来的各国友好城市代表和中方领导们：
　　借此机会，为了我们的共同发展，我倡议：
　　首先，包括清州在内的参加此次"武汉国际友好城市发展论坛"的城市应建立起交流与合作网络。
　　当今世界瞬息万变，二十一世纪是信息与知识爆炸的年代。如果我们11个友好城市致力于相互之间特定的文化价值，定能扩大相互合作，增进对周边世界的了解。
　　其次，通过工业技术领域的交流实现共同发展。
　　我们将进一步扩大商业定向交流从而共同受益。
　　地方友好城市的行政机构如能将友好交流的范围扩大至地方大学、企业、经济机构，我们现有的国际交流合作将更为有力。
　　地方城市的中小型企业切实需要在实在的、经济上可行的环境中建立起全球战略伙伴关系。作为地方城市的领导，我们有责任为实现经济上的共同发展而提供大力支持。
　　为此，应在渴望实现经济交流的城市间建立起市场资讯网，完善经销商信誉、质量验证体系，促进工业技术各领域的交流。
　　第三，友好城市间实现更为有效的民间交流。
　　目前，中韩两国不断缔结友好城市。此类交往自然形成民间交流，进而构架出无国界的国际社会。
　　民间交流在行政和经济领域相继得以实现。各国人民将毫无偏见地相互了解，共同实现更美好的蓝图。
　　尊敬的李宪生市长、各国友城代表和中方领导们：
　　清州市是韩国真正具有代表性的城市。我们的祖国虽小却分外美丽，充满激情。成功与日本共同主办2002世界杯已使韩国受到世界关注。
　　在清州，人们在不断进步的同时亦保持着文化传统。通过主办各类国际交流与合作，清州不断追求世界水平。
　　今天，有包括武汉市、清州市等来自11个国家的城市参加的"武汉国际友好城市发展论坛"必将成为维持和进一步发展合作与友谊的契机，并为清州市的未来带来希望。
　　我真诚地向李宪生市长和武汉市官员们致以深深的谢意和敬意。此次大会为加强竞争与友谊，为与会所有城市的辉煌明天做出了贡献。我将与来自各国的领导一道，毕生珍视此次难得的盛会。
　　祝愿李宪生市长和在座各位万事顺意!
　　谢谢!


Speech by Dae-Soo Han, Mayor of Cheongju, R. O. Korea

Honorable mayor Li Xian Sheng,
Sister city delegates from all over the world,and leaders of China！
I offer my sincere congratulations on the holding of the forum on Development of International
Friendship Cities Whuan,China participated by delegates from ll cities around the world,under the theme of ’friendship and cooperation in the new century’. I am pleased to be here as a representative from Cheongju City in Korea. I would also like to sincerely express my gratitude to Mayor Li Xian Sheng and Wuhan city officials who have prepared this event. They have made it possible for the attendees to engage in serious discussion and cooperation.
Esteemed delegates!
The world is facing a whirlpool or rapid change.With advances in information technology and transportation development,national boundaries are dissolving.The world`s increasing diversity has allowed us to embrace one another and move beyond the ideolonical conflicts of the past. This also applies to diplomacy.The local governments are gradually becoming the leading bodies in the mainstream of diplomacy in place of central governments, they now take into account substantive and economic goals in addition to mere cultural exchanges.
Accordingly, the cooperative exchanges between the local cities allow for mutual cooperation and unlimited competition and at the same time allow for positive changes in the course of world history.
The city of Cheongju opened its doors to the world many years ago and performs a variety or active exchanges with international sister cities such as Wuhan in China and Dottori in Japan with the motto,World Class City,Happy Cheongju.
In addition,we have continued to proceed with the efficient operation of Cheongju International Airport which opened in 1997.It now regularly services Shanghai and Shenyang in China.The airport is gradually in the process of expanding to become a gate way to Northeast Asia, Charting flights to Beijing,Hebei in China and Osaka in Japan.
Furthermore,at last year`s,Cheongju International Craft Biennale,delegates from 36 countries participated in analyzing,evaluating and confirming world craft arts for various applications. Most notably,in September of last year,Jikji the world’s oldest movable metal type printing,was officially registered as a "World Documentary Heritage" by UNESCO.
Honorable mayor Li Xian Sheng,
Sister city delegates from all over the world,and leaders of China!
The cities of Wuhan and Cheongju signed the Memorandum of Intent on Sisterhood and Economic Exchange and Cooperation in September of 1998.Following this ,we held the signing ceremony for sister cities on October 29, 2000 because of the friendly and active exchanges between both cities.
The city of Wuhan is central to the vast expanse of Mainland China and performs a pivotal role in its economic development by adopting dynamic and initiative economic policies for the rest of the country
The city of Cheongju,located in the middle of the Korean Peninsula,also leads the Korean economy and its cultural development based on its partnership with the city of Wuhan.
I am sincerely grateful to the mayor and officials in the areas of education,culture and economy for visiting Cheongju on numerous occasions. We have constantly striven to solidify the relationship between our two cities through mutual exchanges.
Honorable mayor Li Xian Sheng
and delegates from sister cities all around the world,and leaders of China for the ’friendship and cooperation in the newcentury.
Using this opportunity and attempting to contribute to our mutual development， I would like to make the following suggestions
First of all, the 11 cities including Cheongju that are participating in the’ forum on Development of International
Friendship Cities Whuan ,China’ should establish exchange and cooperation networks.
We are looking at a tide of constant change around the world-A time for information and knowledge expansion in the 21st century. If our 11 international cities work to focus on the value of each other`s particular culture, we can increase mutual cooperation and move towards a better understanding of the world around us.
Secondly ,we should attempt ’a mutual development through exchange in the areas of industry and technology’.
In the future ,we need to further expand business oriented exchange,which could benefit all of us .
If we extend the scope of friendly exchanges launched by the administrative organizations of local sister cities to local universities as well as enterprises and economic organizations, the synergy effect of our current international exchanges will be all the more strengthened.
Small and medium-sized enterprises in local cities truly want global strategic partnerships in realistic and economically viable environment. As local city leaders we have the responsibility for pursuing mutual economic development by firmly supporting such enthusiasm for growth.
In doing so,a market information network needs to be established among cities that desire economic exchanges .A framework needs to be prepared to certify the reliability and quality of traders of which exchange in all areas of industry and technology can be facilitated.
Thirdly ,’more efficient operation of civil exchange between sister cities’ needs to be implemented.
Currently, friendly sister city contracts between China and Korea are increasing. Naturally such exchangse grow into civil exchanges ,further establishing a framework for an international society where no boundaries exist.
When civil exchanges are performed consistently in economic areas after exchanges in administrative areas ,the people of each country will gain a deeper undersanding of those countries around them without prejudice ,which will further enhance their capacity to see the bigger picture.
Honorable mayor Li Xian Sheng
and delegates from local sister cities from all over the world and leaders of China!
The city of Cheongju is a true representative city of Korea. Our nation is small but beautiful one, full of passion, having already gained the world`sattention through the successful co-hosting of the 2002 FIFA Korea Japan World Cup.
Cheongju is the place for people to continue development and preserve our cultural heritage .The city constantly pursues world-class status through the hosting of various international exchanges and cooperation.
Today`s ’forum on Development of International Friendship Cities Whuan ,China’ with local cities from 11 nations around the world including the cities of Wuhan and Cheongju will surely become an opportunity to maintain and develop cooperation and friendship as well as offer hope for the future of Cheongju.
I would like to express my deep gratitude and respect to Mayor Li Xian Sheng and Wuhan city officials who have greatly contributed to improving competition and friendship through this event, along with a bright future for all the cities. I will treasure this precious event with the leaders of each country throughout my life.
And I wish prosperity for Mayor Li Xian Sheng and everyone else here today.
Thank you.