I am very pleased that the 2007 World Rowing Junior Championships will take place in Beijing, China from August 7th to11th, 2007. On behalf of the Chinese Rowing Association, I would like to thank FISA and all our friends in rowing for your trust. I warmly welcome all the participating athletes, coaches and officials to Beijing for the Championships. We will do our best in the preparation and organization work for the regatta,and we believe success of this event will contribute to the development of the sport, to the upgrading of its sporting level, and to the strengthening of unity and friendship among the people from different countries and regions of the world.

    China is an ancient country with a time-honored civilization. It made great contributions to the development and civilization of mankind in the past. Today, in the process of reform and opening-up, China is not only developing rapidly in economy, but also achieving great progress in the fields of culture and sports. Beijing is the capital of the People's Republic of China and the political, cultural and economic center of the country. It covers an area of 16,808 square kilometres with a population of over 14 million. As a frontier of China's reform and opening-up, Beijing has also witnessed amazing changes in its economy development and environment improvement. The Games of the XXIX Olympiad will be held in Beijing in 2008. I sincerely hope that during you stay in Beijing you will enjoy the culture, the history and natural beauty of city and country, and experience the generous hospitality of the Chinese people.

    I wish you a good health and a pleasant stay in China.