During the press conference held on January 26,  2016 at the Union of Arab chambers, Adnan Kassar for Arabic Economy Bldg, HE. Mr. Adnan Kassar declared to the audience that he was honored by the President of the People’s Republic of China, Xi Jinping, who awarded him with the “China Arab Outstanding Contribution Award”, during a ceremony held at the Four Seasons-Cairo, Egypt, besides his visit to Egypt last week. A senior official delegation from the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Lebanon attended the press conference in addition to the Secretary General of the Union of Arab Chambers of Dr. Imad Shehab, members of the press and media. The press conference also included a dialogue between Kassar and the media about the importance of the Lebanese-Chinese relations.

Speech of H.E. Adnan Kassar Honorary President of the General Union of Chambers of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture for Arab Countries Press Conference on the occasion of his honoring with “China Arab Outstanding Contribution Award”

Excellencies, Representatives of Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Lebanon,

Dear Press and Media Representatives,

First I want to express my appreciation and gratitude for His Excellency Ambassador Jiang Jiang who is currently in China and the esteemed officials from the Chinese embassy with us today for their support, backing and coordination with us always.

It’s with great pleasure that I welcome you distinguished member of the media at this meeting which is very special for me. I have high regard and respect for all Arab and Lebanese media who have covered my activities and who have been a strong support to my various positions.

This meeting holds great significance to me as I will be sharing with you the news of my having been honored by the President of the People’s Republic of China Mr. Xi Jinping, who invited me to receive the “China Arab Outstanding Contribution Award” during his official visit to Egypt last week.

This award is like a shining page in my lifetime especially as it came from the President of a great country, which is considered today as one of the most influential country in the world. President Xi Jinping presented me with the award in recognition for the role that I played over more than 60 years in carefully weaving and developing the Arab – Chinese and the Lebanese – Chinese relations to where they stands today.

I was honored to be the one Lebanese who was honored by the President of China as a businessman who opened up Lebanon’s doors and through Lebanon the doors of the Arab world for the Chinese market, at a time when China was suffering from a hard economic embargo during the climax of the cold war between the east and the west and the deep ideological division that prevailed then.

Dear Press and Media representatives,

I am very proud with this recognition, and with the strong relations and esteem that I have with the leadership of the People’s Republic of China, which I devoted for the sake of my beloved country Lebanon and the Arab countries as well.  In the same manner, I dedicate the new recognition that I have received to Lebanon, and I will do my utmost so that Lebanon gains its rightful and deserved position as a major hub for the Silk Road that is being revived today in the context of the new vision of China, adopted by President Xi – this road which from the early ages started in China to Lebanon, and from Lebanon to all Europe and the countries beyond, through Our Phoenician ancestors, the first merchants of the sea who then exported the Chinese goods to the Romans in Europe.

On their steps, my brother Adel and I were the first Arab businessmen in the modern age to establish trade relations with the People’s Republic of China, and to open up the Arab markets for the Chinese goods and commodities as well as for trade relations on all levels. We are very proud that we were the oldest friends of China from the Arab world. It was for us a great school. I think that what really distinguishes China is loyalty to whom serves the country in the difficult times. China never forgets her friends, and in that it is unique and stands as an example for all.

As this award was not only for me but for all of Lebanon, I shall exert every possible effort to put Lebanon today on the Silk Road map.  We have today in front of us in Lebanon a historic opportunity to build on the visit of the President of China to the Region, which reflects the new policy vision of China to strengthen its relations with the Arab world. This policy led to him taking his first international tours this year to the Arab region, starting with Saudi Arabia and then Egypt. I will personally work for Lebanon to have its place on the new Silk Road, and to promote Lebanon’s capacities in its people, talents and vital capabilities.

For this goal, I held a meeting in Cairo last week with a highly distinguished Chinese leader. She is the president of the Chinese people’s association for friendship with the foreign countries and Minister of culture Mrs. Li Xiaolin. I discussed with her the importance of the Lebanese – Chinese and Arab – Chinese relations and the ways to further develop the relations on the economic level.

The meeting was of utmost importance, and we can build on it to develop the relations of Lebanon with China. Her Excellency emphasized that China is keen to open up relations with Lebanon and the Arab world, and is interested in increasing Chinese investment in the region. She expressed deep interest in expanding cooperation with Lebanon on all levels, especially politically and socially and as well as in the cultural field, as She is a Minister for Culture, stressing the significance of increasing economic, trade and investment exchanges for mutual interests.

I invited Minister Li to head an official delegation for a visit to Lebanon, in order to canvass the potentials that Lebanon enjoys, including in its economic and private sector opportunities, and for the sake of activating and expanding the relations between Lebanon and China at all levels to new horizons. The Minister has promised to meet this invitation at the earliest opportunity.

Finally, I reiterate my greetings to you all, and thank you for coming, for I consider you an essential part of my life career. I always hope to see you on happy and celebratory occasions.