On October 13, "the 15th WEVA Congress China launch" was held in Beijing, China World Hotel. Jia Youling, as the president of China Horse Industry Association, and the nation's first chiefveterinary surgeon, with Kate Savage, the president of World Equine Veterinary Association, jointly attended the launch activities, and issued appointmentletters for the chairman of the organizing committee and the committee membersof the 15th World Equine Veterinary Association Congress, which marked the beginning of the 15th World Equine Veterinary Association Congress!

The 15th WEVA Congress will be held in Beijing from April 21, 2018 to April 23, 2018, which theme is the"Breeding Caring Loving". It is jointly organized by the World Equine Veterinary Association and the China Horse Industry Association, with more than100 high-level veterinarians from around the world gathering in Beijing. The conference will provide attendees with not only the most professional and advanced knowledge of the industry, but also the most practical and most effective horse treatment methods, which will also help improve the domestic horse veterinary status and enhance veterinary importance to industrial development. This is the first time that the WEVA enters China. It is also theembodiment of the Chinese horse industry and the world horse industry instrengthening communication and presenting their presence in the context of"The Belt and Road".

Distinguished guests, President Kate, ladies and gentlemen, friends

Greetings. On behalf of China Horse Industry Association, I welcome the presence of elite equine veterinarians, delegates of embassies and consulates, members of firms and press. Welcome!

On May 12th, 2014, at the “International Akhal-Teke Horses Association Special Conference & China Horse Culture Festival”, President XI Jinping highlighted that, “horses have been playing an important role in Chinese culture and horse culture has a long story to tell”.

We all know horses’ essential role in our lives and development which is escorted by equine veterinarians. Chinese equine vets are as early as 2000 years ago and achieved a lot. The first equine vet is Ma Shi Huang during the time of Yellow Emperor. Simuanji, the world’s best preserved traditional Chinese equine veterinary work was compiled by Li Shi of Tang Dynasty. Chinese equine veterinary has completed its own theory system and has helped to promote global equine veterinary.

China’s modern equine veterinary began from Beiyang Equine Veterinary Academy in 1904 and never stopped developing. Right now, horse industry in China develops at a staggering speed but at the same time, the level of modern equine veterinary of mainland China falls behind from international standards. There is a lack of equine vet talents, facilities for horse-treating purposes, equine medicine as well as vaccinations. The status quo fails to meet the demand of horse industry development. Without addressing these issues, horse industry in China will lose its hope and momentum.

Many thanks to President Kate and other WEVA members for selecting China to host the 15th WEVA congress. This is a recognition of horse industry in China as well as of CHIA.

We hope the 15th WEVA congress will provide an opportunity to learn from international advanced techniques and theories, in the meantime, to unearth Chinese traditional medicine.

I myself am an equine veterinarian and treated horses on grasslands of Xilinhot, Horse Capital of China, where we will make Xilinhot a parallel session of the 15th WEVA congress.

The theme of the 15th WEVA congress is “Simuanji”. It is not only a congress hosted by two associations, but also makes a few first attempts: WEVA’s first arrival in China and the first time Chinese attending the congress, and as the host.

Finally, welcome again for the arrival of world-renown equine veterinarians. Thank you for bringing your valued experience and share them with your Chinese counterparts. Many thanks for the attention and support from media and every company. I look forward to the launch of the 15th WEVA congress in autumn and I hope it will bear fruit in the next spring.

Thank you.