I am very glad to be here in the beautiful city of Lisbon to take part in the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth. Hereby on behalf of the Chinese Government and youth, I would like to extend our warm greetings to the conference, and express our appreciation for the brilliant work conducted by the Preparatory Committee under the guidance of the United Nations as well as our heartfelt thanks to the hosting Portuguese Government and youth.

In 1995, the UN General Assembly adopted at its 50th Session the World Program affection for Youth to the Year 2000 and Beyond, and the cross-century prospects for youth policy and program raised signifies a new consensus reached in the international community on youth affairs on a broader basis than ever before. Practice over the past three years shows that the Program of Action is a document with certain guiding significance gaining popularity among Governments. I believe a full exchange of views on the cross-century topics in world youth affairs as our conference is set to deliberate upon will be conducive to promoting the implementation of the Program of Action, and to further invigorating world youth affairs.

China is a country with a vast population of youth and the Government has always attached great importance to youth affairs and supported the formulation of national youth policy and programs. China Agenda 21 emphasised that national youth policy should stress youth education and participation, raise the living standard of youth, defend the legitimate rights and interests of young people and bring into fun play the active role of youth in the country's political, economic and social life.

Mr. Chairman:

While dedicating to national-level actions in youth areas, the Chinese Government has also paid special attention to regional and international cooperation, involving itself extensively and profoundly in the UN activities and made due contributions to its credit. In youth affairs, many issues have an impact beyond national borders, their settlement requires extensive international cooperation and concerted efforts. The Program afection and the Declaration which the conference is about to adopt win both embody the orientation of endeavours to be made in world youth affairs in the future and will be of positive significance to the implementation of the UN youth policy and programs. The follow-up program is of particular importance. In. this connection we would like to make two suggestions for your consideration:

1. All Governments and the international community should give priority to such follow-up actions as are aimed to promote young people's full development. The development of youth has a bearing on the future and destiny of the nation; the right to development should be made the priority rights and interests for the younger generation. The youth policy andprogram initiated by the international community should fully reflect the trends of our times towards peace and development so that the rising generation will be able to develop themselves in an all-round manner in an environment of peace and stability.

2. The international community should respect the diversity of the world in its cooperation in youth areas. As the peoples of various countries have chosen different social systems, different development strategies and fife styles, and their youth problems and the modes of their settlement varies from case to case. Governments should have the right to decide on the youth policy and program priorities of their own countries according to their national conditions and conduct common negotiations for international cooperation.

Mr. Chairman:

Mr. Chairman,

The care for the young means the care for the future. Let us all join hands to greet the advent of the new century!

Thank you all!