NEW YORK, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- Guoxiang Sun, Consul General of China in New York, rang the opening bell in Nasdaq on Thursday as the exchange operator hosted a welcome ceremony for the newly appointed ambassador.

Sandy Frucher, the Vice Chairman of the Nasdaq OMX Group, Inc, congratulated Ambassador Sun's appointment in the opening ceremony. He said Nasdaq's commitment to China remains strong and the relationship between Nasdaq and Chinese companies will become closer in the future.

"NASDAQ is the largest listings of Chinese companies of any exchanges outside China in the world." Said Frucher, "Chinese companies like to go public here in the U.S. and we like to have them listed in here."

He believed that Chinese companies and Nasdaq can work together to make the world a better place and stressed that Consul General works a critical role in introducing Chinese companies to the U.S. and U.S. companies to China.

Ambassador Sun acknowledged Nasdaq's welcome in his speech and said he is pleased to see 155 Chinese companies are listed in Nasdaq.

"Nasdaq enjoys distinguished reputation in China not only for its economic and financial clout but also for its endeavor to promote intercultural understanding and people to people exchanges. "

He noted that China is becoming an increasingly important market for Nasdaq and pledged to work to enhance China and U.S. relations in the future.

"My colleagues and I will remain committed to promoting the growth of China and U.S. relations." said Sun.

Source:news.xinhuanet