? Opening Greetings for the 12th China International Fishing Tackle & Trade Exhibition (China Fish ’2002)

In the second spring of the new century I am very pleased to meet again in Beijing
our friends from fishing tackle circles from both home and abroad.

It is well known that China entered the WTO last year. China, as a member of the
WTO, will manage the enterprises of its fishing tackle industry in accordance with
the regulations of the WTO.? A spring tide of fishing tackle products will integrate
into the world economy.

In the past year, great changes have taken place in China’s fishing tackle
manufacturing industry to meet the demands of both the world and Chinese
markets. Taking reel manufacturing as an example, the number of manufacturers
with complete design and production capacity of over one million pieces of reels
per year has doubled.? Moreover, their variety, manufacturing quality and
management levels have all greatly been upgraded.? These newly-built reel
enterprises are all in attendance at this exhibition and they will be seeking a global
sales network during the show. Without question, this will bring opportunities to
traders from various countries who have been strenuously looking for exclusive
regional reel sales capabilities.? China, as a member of the WTO, will also see its
entire fishing tackle manufacturing industry enjoy the benefits of WTO membership.?
Thanks to the partial cancellation of the quota in textile, the export cost for
manufacturers are lowered, overseas orders will be increased, and the number and
scale of the makers of luggage, nets, vests, cold and weatherproof garments and
tents etc. have changed greatly, and these too will also be seen at this exhibition.?
Additionally, enterprises of fishing rods, accessories and lures have also increased
to various extents and their production scale, product’s variety and quality have all
improved and again are here at this show.

In regard to the domestic market in China, with the year-by-year reduction of import
tariffs after China’s accession to the WTO, the price of the imported fishing tackle
will be lower year by year and China’s import market will further increase.?
Meanwhile, with the year-after-year increase of China’s national economic growth
rate and national income, great changes will take place in the scope of fishing
activities in China.? Fishing will progressively broaden from the now regional and
unitary activity forms.? Salt water fishing, travel fishing, family fishing, lure fishing,
which demands a lot of movement, fly fishing and some other forms of fishing will
gradually be liked by more and more people.? The focus of the fishing media in
China will move from fishing competition to public and family fishing activities.?
Overseas fishing tackle manufacturers will gradually enter the fishing tackle market
of China, which is one more change in China’s fishing tackle market this year.

Altogether 232 companies are participating in this year’s exhibition.? The 550 booths
include nearly all of the fishing tackle manufacturers from Mainland China.?
Additionally, enterprises from the UK, Italy, Australia, Japan, South Korea, and
China Taiwan, Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR are also participating in the
exhibition.? Meanwhile over 1000 fishing tackle businessmen from China Mainland
and over 600 fishing tackle traders from nearly 50 countries and regions all over the
world will attend the exhibition.? I am sure this exhibition will make a full play to meet
the requirements of the manufacturers and traders. It is my hope that you will enjoy
yourselves in the exhibition and go back with fruitful results.

Here I would like to, on behalf of all the staff members of the organizing committee
of China Fish’ 2002, extend our warm welcome to guests from all over the world and
wish you have a wonderful time during the 3-day show.
Li Jiang
Secretary General of the 12th China International Fishing Tackle & Trade Exhibition
(China Fish ’2002)
Feb. 22, 2002