Ladies, gentlemen and auspicious guests - a sincere welcome to the launch of the 2009 Midea China Classic.
　Make no mistake - 2009 heralds a change in the way we view regional tournament golf forever.   2009 marks the creation of OneAsia , and with it for the first time a true consolidated approach to elite tournament golf across Asia-Pacific, from Lebanon in the West to Japan in the East, from New Zealand in the South to China in the North.
　OneAsia brings with it the vision of creating a tournament platform that for the first time will provide a real alternative to the European Tour and the PGA Tour – a truly elite career pathway developed by the region, for the region. 
　Through the increased involvement of the relevant national golfing bodies, OneAsia will create an enhanced regional and national relevance for each tournament, drawing its players not only from the leading regional golfers from Official World Golf Rankings, but also the leading players from each of the domestic tours in the region, and additional exemptions for host countries. 
　Looking specifically to China and Midea China Classic, this will mean not only a world class field of the leading players from across Asia-Pacific, but also enhanced representation of local players, allowing Chinese players to develop their games against the best in the business.  Beyond this tournament, such benefits will continue to accrue to leading Chinese players across the most significant events in Asia Pacific.
　On the back of this increased relevance, OneAsia will deliver an enhanced, concentrated and extensive live television broadcast of the Midea China Classic and all other OneAsia tournaments throughout Asia, as well as across the rest of the globe. 
　OneAsia is not about replacing what is already there, it is about consolidating the present structures, and creating an elite platform or tour that presently does not exist.  An elite platform that will ultimately allow our next generation of champion golfers to develop their games in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong, Tokyo, Sydney, Delhi or Singapore, and stay and play in the region, without the necessity to travel to Europe or the US to be the best they can be.  Imagine a time, beyond Tiger, when an Asian golfer can play almost exclusively in Asia, still qualify for all the Majors, and can be the number 1 golfer in the world, without leaving the continent.  That is the vision of OneAsia.
　Our sincerest gratitude’s go to the naming sponsor Midea, and the promoter CITIC Forward, for coming with us on this journey, and for the ongoing commitment they have shown to OneAsia.  We are truly thankful for their forward looking vision, and for placing their faith in OneAsia to deliver a new start for golf in the region. We are confident that such faith will ultimately reap huge rewards for both this event, and tournament golf in China and across Asia-Pacific, as we continue to develop significant elite opportunities, like the Midea China Classic, for the regions best golfers.