Your Excellency Yosiwo P. George, Vice President of the FSM,
Honorable Wesley W. Simina, Speaker of the FSM Congress,
Honorable Johnson S. Elimo, Governor of the Chuuk State,
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Ran Anim. Good morning and hello to everyone.
Today is indeed a historic moment in the history of the China-FSM friendship, partnership, brotherhood and sisterhood. It is my great pleasure to attend the Turnover Ceremony, one of a series of important activities this year to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the China-FSM diplomatic relations. The new office buildings complex serves as a brand new business card of the friendship and cooperations between China and the FSM, a new milestone of our 30 years’ diplomatic relations, a new starting point of China-FSM Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and a new footprint in the pursuit of the Belt and Road Initiative as well.
More than 600 years ago, Captain Ma (or Zheng He) of China’s Ming Dynasty led a series of peaceful expeditions to the FSM including Chuuk State. The 18th century witnessed the trade of tortoise shell, silk and tea, etc. between China and Pacific islands, when the Maritime Silk Road was being formed.
In 1989, following the independence of the FSM 3 years ago, China became one of the earliest countries to recognize and establish diplomatic relations with the FSM. Since then, the Chinese government has always attached great importance to its development and treated the FSM as a good brother and sister, good partner and good friend. In 2014, Chinese President Xi Jinping and his FSM counterpart decided to establish a Strategic Partnership featuring mutual respect and common development, opening a new chapter of the China-FSM relations. In March, 2017, FSM President Peter Christian paid a successful visit to China. Our two heads of state reached a wide range of important consensuses on promoting the China-FSM Strategic Partnership. In November, 2018, as a significant achievement of their summit at Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, President Xi Jinping and President Peter Christian jointly announced the elevation of the China-FSM relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, chartering the course for the long-term development of our bilateral relations. China has been providing aid and assistance to the FSM within her capabilities, based on the principles of equality, mutual benefit, openness and sustainability. Our assistance to the FSM is selfless and without political preconditions, which has brought tangible benefits to both of our peoples. Just to name several completed and on-going major projects: the agricultural pilot farm, the Y-12 aircraft, the passenger-cargo ship, the multifunctional gynusium in Pohnpei, the bridge in Kosrae and scholarships, etc. The project of repairing and upgrading the roads in Chuuk is underway. Hopefully it will start construction very soon.
The China-FSM Comprehensive Strategic Partnership not only demonstrates the great achievements of our 30 years of relations, but also charters the fundamental course of development of our bilateral relations in the future. China will continue to uphold the values of friendship, justice and shared interests as well as the principles of sincerity, practical results, affinity and good faith, along with the idea of “teaching people how to fish”, all put forward by President Xi Jinping. In addition to the existing cooperation in the traditional areas of infrastructure, economic technology, agriculture and fishery, China is ramping up assistance to the FSM in new areas like science, education, culture, health, and people-to-people exchanges, etc. China will work together with the FSM in depth and width to jointly pursue the Belt and Road Initiative and build the Community with a Shared Future for the Humanity.
The fundamental experience drawn from the achievements of the 30 years’ China-FSM relations is, based on strict adherence to the One China Policy, to always treat each other on an equal footing, to observe mutual respect and to seek common development, in a concerted effort to pursue the Belt and Road Initiative and to build the Community with a Shared Future for the Humanity.
Here I must reiterate the extreme importance of the One China Policy to our bilateral relations. There is only but one China in the world. The Government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China. Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory. The One China Policy is enshrined in the international law and among the basic norms of international relations that every country should strictly abide by. It is also the most fundamental cornerstone of the development of the China-FSM relations.
Our world today is undergoing major development, transformation and adjustment, where opportunities coexist with challenges. Building a Community with a Shared Future for the Humanity and pursuing the Belt and Road Initiative are China’s answer to the question of what kind of world we are building and how to build it, which concerns the destiny of the whole mankind. By putting forward the important thought of the Community with a Shared Future for the Humanity, President Xi Jinping aims to hold high the belief that all countries are equal, regardless of their size, strength and wealth. Therefore, China will work with the international community to build a new type of international relations featuring mutual respect, fairness and justice, win-win cooperation, to make our world open and inclusive, clean and beautiful with lasting peace, common security, and common prosperity. This is the overall goal of China's major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics in the new era and the fundamental path forward for future development of the China-FSM relations.
To pursue the Belt and Road Initiative is an innovative practice of building the Community with a Shared Future for the Humanity. The legacy of the Ancient Silk Road centers on peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning and mutual benefit. Since its introduction in 2013 by President Xi Jinping, the Belt and Road Initiative has become the broadest platform of international cooperation and a popular international public good. More than 100 countries and international organizations, including the FSM, vigorously support and participate in its pursuit. A substantial number of symbolic projects with significance have been successfully completed. The Belt and Road Initiative have also been included in vital resolutions of the UN Assembly and Security Council. China will continue working with all parties concerned to strengthen communication and connection in terms of policy, infrastructure, trade, finance and culture, to build the Belt and Road into a road of peace, prosperity, openness, innovation and civilization.
The new office buildings complex is of great importance to the implementation of the consensus at the PNG summit reached by our two heads of state to jointly pursue the Belt and Road Initiative. China regards the FSM as an important partner under the Belt and Road Initiative and is willing to help your government, federal, state and local levels alike, enhance the capacity building, empowering development planning, policy making, social services and comprehensive management. By doing so, China and the FSM will enjoy better communication and coordination, connection in development strategies, and complement of each other’s advantages, which shall bring about the effect of “one plus one greater than two”. Besides, China’s success story of achieving stable and long-term economic and social development derives largely from the existence of a powerful and responsible government, and we’re more than happy to share our experience on governance to the FSM friends. That’s why we agreed to the request by then governor, Hon. Speaker Simina, among other leaders, to grant this new office buildings complex.
As told in a famous Chinese poem, “To enjoy a grander sight, you need to climb to a greater height.” By moving into this new office buildings complex, I believe that the Chuuk State Government and Legislature will feel like climbing to a greater height and level up in governance, vision, strategic thinking and policy communication and coordination with China, to the benefit of implementing the consensus at the PNG summit, reached by our two heads of state, to jointly pursue the Belt and Road Initiative and build the Community with a Shared Future for the Humanity. I hope the Chuuk State Government and Legislature maximize the functions and take good care of this buildings complex, serve the people heart and soul and make new contributions to the economic and social development the FSM and the State of Chuuk, as well as the China-FSM friendship, exchanges and cooperations in all respects.
An ancient Chinese saying goes, “A long journey can be covered only by taking one step at a time”. As we work shoulder to shoulder to pursue the Belt and Road Initiative, every single project should be taken seriously. This new office buildings complex is just another example, and nobody shall ignore or deny the importance of its completion and turnover. My sincere gratitudes go to the FSM and Chuuk state government and people from all circles in the country, which rendered unreserved support to the project and the Chinese company undertaking it. My compliments and appreciation also belong to Yantai Construction Ltd., who overcame unexpected difficulties, while prioritizing safety and security, abiding by laws and rules and fulfilling social responsibilities, and worked so hard to deliver the project in time with premium quality, which showcases Chinese characteristics, Chinese style and Chinese manner.
Year 2019 marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the FSM. In addition to the road project in Chuuk as mentioned before, there’re a number of other aid projects like the National Conference Center and the second Y-12 aircraft, together with a series of people-to-people exchanges, planned for the celebration of the 30th anniversary. China is willing to work side by side with the FSM to enrich the implications of our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, to pursue the Belt and Road Initiative by holding fast to the principle of achieving shared growth through discussion and collaboration, and to jointly promote the building of the Community with a Shared Future for the Humanity, to the end of creating a brighter future for the relations between our two countries.
Kinisou Chapur. Thank you very much.