Ladies and Gentlemen:

   On behalf of the Chinese Independent PEN Center, I would like to congratulate Huang Xiang for his award of writer-in-residence in Pittsburgh and proclamation of Huang Xiang Day in the City of Pittsburgh today. I would like to express our sincere thanks to Cities of Asylum North American Network and its Chairman Russell Banks, City of Asylum/Pittsburgh Chairman Ralph Reese and Ms Diane Samuels for providing such an opportunity to Huang Xiang and Zhang Lin. I'd like to thank Pittsburgh Mayor Tom Murphy for the proclamation of Huang Xiang day and the Mattress Factory for its support of the project. It is such a great honor for Huang Xiang. We feel very proud of him. I also thank Huang Xiang and Ms Zhang Lin for inviting me to attend such a great event.

   Huang Xiang is a Chinese poet who has devoted to writing for more than 40 years. His poems are not only the testimonies of the ridiculous years in Chinese history, they are also the protest to the autocratic system that are against the human civilization. Therefore, Huang Xiang is one of the most important poets in contemporary China.

   Huang Xiang has decorated this house with Chinese calligraphy. This is his unique way to contribute to culture exchange between Americans and Chinese. I hope the culture exchange will continue. Once again, thanks to the city of Pittsburgh for providing such a great opportunity to exiled writers like Huang Xiang.

   Cai Chu, Vice President of Chinese Independent PEN Center, an affiliate of International PEN