Kasalehlie Mengo! Good evening!

First of all, I would like to extend my sincere respect to the traditional leaders of Pohnpei and all over the FSM.

Thank you very much for coming to share with us the excitement in warmly welcoming the Guangdong Friendship Delegation and Guangdong Art Troupe to the Federated States of Micronesia. The members of the delegation do not represent Guangdong province alone they are here to extend the good wishes to the friends in the Federated States of Micronesia on behalf of the 1.3 billion Chinese people. Their slogan is Ode to Friendship. We are delighted to have friends come from afar. To me, the word "FRIENDS" here means a lot.

Firstly, the letter F in the word "Friends" stands for FAR. Geographically speaking China and the FSM are far away from each other. If we open the map of the world, we may see that Guangdong is almost the nearest province of China to the Pohnpei State of the FSM. And the direct distance across the Pacific between the two places is more than 3000 miles or 5000 km. However the distance cannot separate us, and the seas bring us together.

Secondly, the letter R in the word "Friends" stands for RELATIVE. According to the book entitled Over Seas and Time, A Micronesian History Textbook published by the FSM Department of Education in 2010, the earliest ancestors of Micronesians and of all Pacific islands are from China. It means that the Chinese people and the FSM people are closely related by blood. Blood is always thicker than water.

Thirdly, the letter I in the word "friends" stands for INTIMACY. China and the FSM established diplomatic relationship in 1989. In the last 22 years, with our concerted efforts the bilateral relations between China and the FSM have been enhanced. We have an intimate understanding of the positions and policies of each other. We respect each other, trust each other, consult with each other and support each other.

Fourthly, the letter E in the word "friends" stands for ECONOMIC COOPERATION. Under the framework of South-South cooperation and within the scope of mutual assistance, China and the FSM have been cooperating with each other in economic development and have achieved a lot in the past 22 years. Even if China itself is not rich, it has been providing economical and technical aid to the FSM within its own capacity, based on the principles of equality, accountability, mutual beneficial, pragmatism and efficiency. Our economic cooperation aims at helping each other in economic and social development and improving our people's livelihood. We hold an open attitude toward cooperating with other donor countries.

Fifthly, the letter N in the word "friends" stands for NATION-BUILDING.  China has a written history of more than 5000 years, but the People's Republic of China was founded only 62 years ago in 1949. The first settlers came to the Micronesian islands thousands years ago, but the FSM was born only 32 years ago in 1979 and became independent only for 26 years in 1986. Both China and FSM are old and young at the same time. We both have made great progress in the past but we both are facing the same task of building our countries into better ones respectively. In the first half of this century, China will try to accomplish two grand goals. First, to build a moderately prosperous society of a higher level to the benefit of over one billion people by 2021, the centennial of the founding of the Communist Party of China, and second, to make China a prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced and harmonious modern socialist country by 2049, the centennial of the founding of the People's Republic of China. We bear great responsibilities and undertake arduous tasks.

Sixthly, the letter D in the word "friends" stands for DEVELOPMENT. Both China and the FSM are developing countries. We both are trying hard and helping each other to implement the UN Millennium Development Goals. Around the world, peace, development and cooperation remain the trend of the times and we face multiple challenges in our efforts to achieve world peace and development. As the largest developing country, China will unswervingly follow the path of peaceful development and the win-win strategy of opening up. China attaches great importance to and fully respects the aspirations of the government and the people of the FSM. China will develop friendship and cooperation with all countries including the FSM on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, uphold the legitimate demands and common interest of developing countries, and take an active part in multilateral affairs to make the international political and economic order more just and equitable.

Seventhly, the letter S in the word "friends" stands for SUCCESS. With our concerted efforts the bilateral relations between China and the FSM have developed fast and smooth, bringing tangible benefits to the people of our two countries. We have every reason to be proud of what we have achieved, but we have no reason to be complacent. We must not and shall never rest on our laurels. We will continue to make great efforts in strengthening our friendship. We will be successful. And we must be successful. Since it is beneficial to both our countries and our peoples.

To sum up, we are relatives from afar and we cooperate successfully with each other in all fields.

The visit by the Guangdong Delegation will contribute to the friendship and cooperation between us. Guangdong was among the first Provinces to implement the policy of reform and opening up to the world in China 33 years ago. Today Guangdong has become a model on economic and social development in China. Guangdong Province and the Chuuk State have signed a MOU to establish a sister-ship. And Guangdong is open-minded to establish good relationship with all the states of the FSM.

I am very glad to have the Guangdong Art Troupe coming together with the Friendship Delegation. The Art Troupe will showcase the attractive and charming Chinese Traditional Culture and the audiences will enjoy dancing, acrobatics, martial arts and performance of Chinese traditional musical instruments. Culture is a golden bridge of friendship. Culture exchanges will make our two countries and peoples closer. The two-day show here in Pohnpei and one show in Chuuk will not only impress the audience with the wisdom, courage and diligence of the Chinese people but also bring love, peace and happiness to the people of the FSM. I am sure that after you have watched the performances, you will have a better understanding of China, its culture and its people.

I wish the visit of Guangdong Friendship Delegation and Guangdong Art Troupe to the FSM a great success.

Now, I would like to propose a toast:

To the fruitful visit of the Guangdong Delegation,

To the friendship between China and the FSM,

To the good health and future prosperity of everyone present.

Ganbei! Cheers!

Kalanghan. Thank you. Xiexie.