The Dalian Virtual Gallery has come into existence recently. This is a major encouraging event in our cultural life. Requested by some comrades from its Preparatory Division to write some calligraphy for it, I wrote a few sentences for its celebration as I cannot write an elegant hand.

With the advent of information society, we are more and more aware how INTERNET is affecting our social economy and lifestyle. Electronic business, which was perceived as a myth merely a few years ago, has started to infiltrate into every corner of our society, playing a vital role in the effective distribution of social resources. Network economy will become an important propeller in economic development in the new century.

Utilizing network technology in cultural transmission is still a fresh thing in Dalian, but we are convinced of its vigorous life and prospect for development. I have heard some cultural workers mentioning the shortage of cultural facilities in our city and I agree with them. But we cannot catch up with the culturally developed cities overnight. Therefore, I come up with a short-cut: Can we bring forward the realization of our wish by using modern information technology, so that more art fans are able to appreciate and purchase their favorite paintings without going out of their homes? This idea of transcending the limit of time and space will be welcomed by the “netters”. I extend my warmest congratulations on the founding of the Dalian Virtual Gallery. We are looking forward to the birth of more similar virtual galleries and cultural sites, which will bring new life and resilience to the cultural cause of Dalian.