China Provides Cash Donation to FSM for COVID-19 Prevention and Control
2022-09-26 06:42

On September 6th, 2022, the handover ceremony for a cash donation by China to assist the FSM's response to COVID-19 pandemic was held at the FSM Department of Health & Social Affairs. On behalf of the Chinese government and the FSM government respectively, H.E. Huang Zheng, Chinese Ambassador to the FSM, and T.H. Marcus Samo, FSM Secretary of Health & Social Affairs, signed the handover certificate. T.H. Ricky Cantero, Deputy Secretary of Foreign Affairs, and T.H. Brendy Carl, Assistant Secretary of Foreign Affairs, among others, attended the ceremony.



In his remarks, Ambassador Huang pointed out that this donation, which is carried out from the China-Pacific Islands Countries Cooperation Fund against COVID-19, is the concrete action to implement Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, whose content is centered on working to build a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind, is China's latest move to implement the important outcome of State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi's virtual visit to the FSM and the outcome of the second China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, is a strong demonstration of China's "four-pronged adherence" in developing relations with FSM and other Pacific Island Countries and a vivid illustration of China's sincerest and most selfless assistance to the FSM. It will inject new impetus into the cooperation between China and the FSM in combating the pandemic, into the development of China-FSM Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and "Great Friendship" as well as into the joint pursuit of building a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind.

Ambassador Huang stressed that, the one-China principle is the political foundation for China's relations with all the countries including the FSM. It is also the basic norm of international relations and the consensus of the international community which all the countries should abide by. What does one China mean? There can only be one answer. That is, there is but one China in the world, Taiwan is part of China, and the Government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China. This is a basic norm of international relations confirmed by United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758. It is a commitment made by the US in the three China-US joint communiqués. The one-China principle, written down in black and white, is crystal clear. There is no room for ambiguity or arbitrary interpretation. The important principles of respecting state sovereignty and territorial integrity as enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations are the cornerstones of modern international law and basic norms of international relations. It is the sacred right of every sovereign state to safeguard national unity and territorial integrity. The Taiwan question is an internal affair that involves China's core interests and the Chinese people's national sentiments, and no external interference will be tolerated.



Ambassador Huang said that, since the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and the FSM 33 years ago, the FSM has firmly adhered to the one-China principle. The FSM government has reiterated strong and consistent adherence to the one-China principle, which is the bedrock of our Great Friendship. We highly appreciate that. China will continue to work with the FSM to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, deepen and expand practical cooperation in various fields on the basis of firm adherence to the one-China principle, and jointly promote the sustained, sound and steady development of China-FSM Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and "Great Friendship".

Secretary Samo, in his remarks, extended sincere appreciation for China's long-term selfless assistance to FSM's economic and social development. He said that this much-needed cash donation provided by China will play a key role in FSM's efforts to control COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to thanking China for this cash donation, Secretary Samo emphasized that the FSM cherishes its "Great Friendship"  with China since the two countries established diplomatic relations 33 years ago. He said that the FSM government will firmly abide by the one-China Principle as always, respect China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, enhance anti-epidemic and practical cooperation in various fields with China, and firmly push forward the sustained development of the FSM-China "Great Friendship" and Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. 



The handover ceremony was positively reported by FSM Office of the President's website and its Facebook account and local media. 


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