In the beginning year of the "Eleventh Five-year Development Programme", you are welcoming the 50th anniversary. On this occasion, I would like, on behalf of the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense, to extend to you our warmest congratulations.

     China Classification Society (CCS) is a professional body engaged in ship survey, shouldering heavy tasks of protecting the safety of life and property at sea and preventing the pollution. After 50 years' efforts, CCS has made tremendous achievements through continuous development and expansion, and its technical authority, service impartiality, business internationalization and social responsibility have been widely recognized both in and outside the industry. CCS has become an important member of the IACS, and is playing an increasingly significant role in the international maritime affairs. In the past 50 years, CCS has attached great importance to communication and cooperation with shipbuilding and shipping enterprises, faithfully fulfilled its responsibilities and tasks endowed by the country, and made a remarkable contribution to the development of our country's shipbuilding and shipping industries.

     Presently, CCS is performing actively on the international maritime stage with a new pose, and is striving to be a first-rate international classification society with high internationalization and innovation. I sincerely wish CCS scale new heights in the new course and make greater contribution to the national economic development.