Remarks by H.E. Ambassador Zhang Weidong
at the Farewell Reception
July 5th, 2012
China Star Restaurant
Kaselehlie maing ko, Kewo, Mogethin, Lepwong Anim,
and good evening to you all,
Please allow me, first of all, to extend my sincere respect to the traditional leaders of the Pohnpei State and all over the FSM.
(Salutation)
On behalf of the Chinese Embassy and in the name of my wife and I myself, I thank you very much for your kind presence. It's our great pleasure and honor to have all of you here tonight. I am completing my mission as the Ambassador to the FSM and leaving for good in 4 days, on July 9th. This is an evening to bid farewell. At this juncture, I recall a lyric that was popular in the FSM in 2006 entitled Fifty plus One. It sings "We got to know each other, we had so much fun, we got so much closer, saying goodbye, became so much harder."
In August 2009, we first stepped on this land. The complete new faces at that time have become my old and close friends today. It is really hard to say goodbye to all of you.
It is hard to say goodbye, because we have fallen in love with your history, your culture, and the friendly people. It is hard to say goodbye, because we have worked together for the common wish written in your Constitution, "We affirm our common wish to live together in peace and harmony, to preserve the heritage of the past, and to protect the promise of the future". "We extend to all nations what we seek from each: peace, friendship, cooperation, and love in our common humanity."
You may recall my speech at the post assumption reception. I stated that as the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to the Federated States of Micronesia, "I am here for the purpose of strengthening the mutual understandings between our two countries and peoples" "I am here for the purpose of enhancing the mutual political trust" "I am here for the purpose of advancing the economic cooperation". "I am here for the purpose of deepening the culture exchanges". I am very pleased to say that we made it with our strong will and with our concerted efforts. I have always considered myself not as an ambassador but a match-maker. What I have done is to introduce two partners to meet and get acquaintance with each other and let them decide by themselves to date and get married, and I enjoy the Champagne at their wedding ceremony.
I am very pleased to see that the mutual understandings between our two countries and peoples have been significantly strengthened. The top and other levels exchanges between the two countries have been frequent. The sister ship between the States and Provinces in the two countries has gained new momentum. The people-to-people exchanges have reached new high. The Micronesia China Friendship Association has been established. Now, there are more and more people in China know about the FSM, and there are more and more people in the FSM can say "Nihao" and "Xiexie" in standard Chinese.
I am very pleased to see that our mutual political trust has been greatly enhanced. China has always valued her relationship with the FSM and regarded the FSM as a sincere friend and important partner in the pacific islands region. We treat each other as equals and with mutual respect, developing our friendly and cooperative relations on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. We trust each other, support each other, learn from each other and help each other in good faith. We have communicated with each other honestly, coordinated and cooperated closely in the regional and international affairs.
I am very pleased to see that our economic and technical cooperation have been advanced. In the past three years, we have signed 7 economic and technical cooperation agreements, 6 exchange of letters for the projects. 5 programs and projects have been smoothly finished and 6 new ones have been initiated, waiting for the next step. China and the FSM are both developing countries. Although China's economic quantity has become No. 2 in the world, her GDP in per capita is still very low. However, China is committed to provide economic and technical assistance in her capacity to the FSM, in the frame-work of south-south cooperation.
I am very pleased to see that our cultural exchanges have been deepened. Culture is the golden bridge of friendship. In the past three years, three art troupes from China have visited the FSM to showcase Chinese folk dances and music, acrobatics and the martial arts, gong-fu. The stick and sitting dances from the FSM were greatly appreciated at the 2010 Shanghai World Expo in China. The exchanges of teachers and students have been active. 33 FSM students got the Chinese government scholarship in the past 3 years.
The accomplishments in the past three years are the results of the joint efforts of the Governments and Peoples of the two countries. I would like to take this opportunity to extend my gratitude to the wise leadership, officials of both governments and the people from all walks of life. My gratitude also goes to the diplomatic corps, especially for their support to me as the dean. And I have to mention H.E Ambassador Susaia and his colleagues in the FSM embassy in Beijing, China. As another match maker, he has been making the same efforts to get more partners from the two countries dated and married. I should also thank my colleagues and local employees in the Chinese Embassy. Without their hard-working and dedication, we could not reach the fruitful results.
Last but not least, I would like to express my sincere thanks to my wife, Saixing, who has helped me a lot both as a boss and a wife. She has made many friends here and they all have provided support to me with their warm hearts and hospitality.
Seasons rotate, and time flies! Three years ago, I hosted my post assumption reception in the Cliff Rainbow. Today I bid farewell in the China Star. I came here across the colorful rainbow and reached the vast sky full of shining stars, the stars of peace, friendship, cooperation and love. I am leaving with even greater hope and wishes. I sincerely wish the people of the FSM fresh and greater success in the social and encomic development. I sincerely wish the friendly relations between China and the FSM closer and stronger to bring more benefits to our two countries and peoples.
Three years passed in a moment of eyes wink and finger touch, but it leaves a big mark in my diplomatic career. The unique culture, the rich history and the friendly people leave me wonderful and beautiful impressions. The blue sky, the green hills, the transparent waters, the dense grass, the brightly colored flowers and especially your precious friendship will be kept fresh in my memory forever.
In closing, I would like to go back to the lyric Fifty Plus One again "I'm crying tears like lost tunes, all I want is waterfalls, I know we'll meet again."
Now I would like to invite you to stand and join me in a toast:
To the friendly relations between China and the FSM,
To the prosperity of China and the FSM,
To the good health of everyone present,
Cheers! Ganbei!
Thank you! Kalahngan! Kulo Mulalap! Kamagar! Kinisou Chapur! Xiexie!