On February 16th, 2022, the Kaselehlie Press, the renowned newspaper in the FSM, published, in its Vol. 22 and Iss. 03, a congratulatory message by H.E. Huang Zheng, Chinese Ambassador to the FSM, on 2022 Chinese Lunar New Year of the Tiger, along with an advertisement on this occasion by the Chinese Embassy. Below is its full text of the message:
February 1st, 2022, marked the first day of the Chinese Lunar New Year of the Tiger, also known as the Spring Festival. According to the traditional culture of China, tiger is the king of all beasts, a symbol of strength, bravery and fearlessness. On this occasion, I wish our FSM friends great vitality and all the best in this Year of the Tiger.
Year 2021 was full of turbulence and challenges for the world. At the same time, it also gave good grounds for peace and hope. Faced with the struggling recovery of the world economy, prolonged rage of COVID-19 pandemic and the staggering and evolution of the international situation, China continued to bear in mind the interest of the world, shouldered its responsibilities, and made important contributions to the world. Chinese President Xi Jinping solemnly presented the Global Development Initiative, which has been well received and supported by international organizations such as UN agencies and nearly 100 countries, including the FSM. China remained the largest contributor to global economic growth with a solid share of more than 25 percent. We joined wholeheartedly in global cooperation against COVID-19. By the end of 2021, China provided more than two billion doses of vaccines to over 120 countries and international organizations, the largest amount of outbound vaccines given by a single country. We vigorously advocate the common values of humanity, namely peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy and freedom, as well as true multilateralism. China opposes unilateralism, power politics and bullying while firmly upholding the UN-centered international system and the international order underpinned by international law.
Year 2021 marked the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC), which was celebrated by all Chinese people, embarking on a new journey of building a modern socialist country in all respects. The successful convening of the 6th Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee adopted the CPC’s 3rd historic resolution, which summarized the major achievements and historical experience of the CPC over the past century. Through participation in a series of celebration activities on the CPC centenary, the international community has gained a more truthful and comprehensive understanding of China and the CPC and been better convinced that the CPC is a party that strives for the well-being of the Chinese people and also a party that endeavors for progress of humanity.
Year 2021 saw the continuous development in depth of the China-FSM Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and “Great Friendship”, which yielded substantial achievements with the exchanges and cooperation across the spectrum, benefiting the well-being of our two countries and two peoples. FSM President David Panuelo, Speaker Simina of the FSM Congress and Secretary Kandhi Elieisar of Foreign Affairs respectively extended congratulatory messages on the CPC centenary to their counterparts of the Chinese leadership. The FSM attended in China-Pacific Island Countries (PICs) Political Leadership Dialogue and the first China-PICs Foreign Ministers’ Meeting with high-profile delegations. 30 China-Aid isolation units for the purpose of COVID-19 response were transported to and installed for use in all 4 FSM states. China provided to the FSM a fourth cash donation in the amount of 150,000 USD to fend off COVID-19. The Chinese contractors overcame extensive difficulties arising from the pandemic to deliver Pohnpei Secondary Road Project. In Kosrae, we witnessed the dedication of Tafunsak gymnasium and the ground-breaking of Utwa gymnasium, both funded by China. The Chinese Embassy in the FSM also rendered substantial support to numerous local community projects in the areas of food security, women’s empowerment, education and sports, etc..
In the new year, China will continue to hold high the banner of building a Community with a Shared Future for Humanity, and work hand in hand with all countries that love peace and uphold justice to make new and greater contribution to safeguarding world peace and prosperity. The FSM people are expecting to enjoy more tangible benefits by participating in the Belt and Road Initiative and Global Development Initiative, including but not limited to the Phase-12 China-Aid Pilot Farm Project and the donation of a second passenger-cargo ship by China, which is scheduled to mainly operate in Yap.
Right now, Beijing is amid the “Winter Olympics Time”, making the city the world’s first to host both the Summer and Winter Olympic Games. Committed to organizing a green, inclusive, open and clean Games, China has made every effort to counter the impact of COVID-19, overcome distractions caused by very few countries with an attempt to politicize sports, and ensured the smooth opening of the Beijing Olympic Winter Games as scheduled, making new contribution to the cause of Olympism worldwide. I expect the FSM friends to join our cheering on the Olympic athletes and support China to make the Beijing Olympic Winter Games a grand global event that enhances mutual understanding and friendship and brings the whole world “together for a shared future”, so as to give all nations greater confidence and strength in battling the pandemic. We are ready to work shoulder-to-shoulder with the FSM side to act on and promote the Olympic motto of “Faster, Higher, Strong -- Together”, to tackle in solidarity common challenges of the international community like COVID-19 pandemic, climate change and sustainable development, and to make unswerving efforts to push forward the China-FSM Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to new heights and the joint pursuit of building a Community with a Shared Future for Humanity!