September 11, 2014
Your Honorable Secretary Lorin Robert and Mrs. Robert,
Your Honorable Governor Ehsa and Mrs. Ehsa,
Senators of the 18th National Congress and Pohnpei Legislature,
Officials of the National and State Government,
Dear Colleagues of the Diplomatic Corps,
Representatives of the International and Regional Organizations,
My fellow citizen,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good Evening!
At the outset, please allow me, on behalf of the Chinese Embassy, to express to you my gratitude for attending this reception to witness the milestone event of the 25th Anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between China and FSM and to celebrate the 65th Anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.
On the very same day as today 25 years ago, the then Foreign Secretary of FSM Mr. Amaraich and the first Chinese Ambassador to FSM Mr. Zhang Zai signed the Communiqué of establishing the diplomatic ties between FSM and China, formally opened the new chapter of friendship between our two countries. It makes today, 25 years later, a perfect day to celebrate this memorable event. With the co-decision of our two governments, a series of celebration events have been planned and organized. From the beginning of this year, the Chinese Embassy has hosted a 5K Run and Chinese Film Week, both received warm welcome and witnessed wide participation. And soon A Chinese Traditional Art performance will be presented to you at COM Gym on September 17 and 18. Through these activities, we are confident to say that the friendship between China and FSM have won the hearts of FSM people and gained extensive supports. I wish to take this opportunity to express my most sincere appreciation to all those who rendered care and support for the development of China-FSM relationship.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The past 25 years have been a period of continuously strengthened political mutual trust and enhanced bilateral relations between China and FSM. The two countries' leaders have been in close contacts, with all 7 presidents of FSM since its founding have visited China and reciprocal visits have been made by Chinese leaders. Extensive dialogues at different levels of our two governments have been hosted and close coordination in multilateral organizations such as UN and PIF have been exercised. We offered each other genuine and unfailing support, among which is the firmly commitment to the One China Policy made by FSM government and the Chinese government is sincerely grateful for that.
The past 25 years have witnessed a fruitful outcome of our practical cooperation. There is an idiom in the west says, "A friend in need is a friend indeed". There is a Chinese phrase expressing the same meaning, "患难见真情",translates as "Genuine friendship can only been tested in times of adverse". As a good friend and partner of FSM, China has been firmly committed to providing supports and help to FSM within its best ability despite the fact that China is still a developing country. The fruits of our practical cooperation can be found in the 4 states of FSM, including the Pilot Farm and China-FSM Friendship Centre Gym in Pohnpei, Passenger and Cargo Vessels in Chuuk and Yap, High School Building in Kosrae and etc. All these projects have played important roles in the development of FSM and bring tangible benefits to the local people. Furthermore, Y-12 aircraft, Kosrae Bridge and Chuuk Administration Building projects are currently under implementation.
The past 25 years have seen the friendship between our two peoples growing more and more profound. The people to people exchange between us is in the ascendant with each learns more about the other. More than 120 FSM students have been granted Chinese Government Scholarship to study in China and more than 200 FSM government officials and experts have received specialized training in China. Art troupe and medical expert team from China have visited FSM and offered medical service and entertainment to FSM people. Friend States or Provinces between our two countries, Pohnpei-Zhejiang Province, Chuuk-Guangdong Province, Kosrae- Shandong province and Yap-Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, have increased their mutual exchanges. FSM-China Friendship Association has been set up and paid several visits to China. As a diplomat working here, I personally can really feel the friendship of FSM people.
If we consider the China-FSM friendship as a tree, then this tree has already got 25 growth rings, seasoned by wind and rain, with the roots deepened and leaves flourishing. To keep this tree of friendship growing taller and forever green, our two governments should cherish the friendship cultivated by joint endeavors and work together for a brighter future.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Today we are also celebrating the 65th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. Last year, in face of complex and grim world economic situation, Chinese government, through pushing forward reform and adjusting the structure, managed to keep the economy in a stable and upward momentum. The GDP growth rate reached 7.7% in 2013, with total GDP volume amounting 9.24 trillion US dollars and foreign trade volume reached 4.16 trillion US dollars, making China the world's No.1 trading nation. In the first half of 2014, Chinese economy grew by 7.4% percent and the overall economic situation continued to stabilize.
The sustained development of China will provide enormous opportunities to its partners including FSM. For the coming five years, China will import over 10 trillion US dollars of goods and make outbound investment worth over 500 billion US dollars. Last year, about 100 million Chinese tourists travelled abroad, and the number is estimated to top 150 million annually by 2020.
At present, the Chinese people are working towards the "two centennial goals", which is to complete the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects by 2020 and build China into a modern socialist country that is prosperous, democratic, culturally advanced and harmonious by the middle of the century. These two goals together make up the Chinese dream of the great renewal of the Chinese nation. On the other hand, we are soberly aware that it is not easy to realize the "two centennial goals" in China, a country with a population of over 1.3 billion and uneven development. It is going to be a long and arduous process that requires a long-term commitment. China will remain to be a major developing country in a long time.
To enjoy a grander view, one has to go up to a higher floor. Looking in to the future, both China and FSM are standing at a new historical point, facing new opportunities and challenges. Both resided in the Asia Pacific region, China and FSM are not separated by the ocean but rather bounded by it. China is ready to promote and help the development of FSM through its own development, to provide new opportunities to FSM through its own ongoing reform and opening-up. I am confident that with the support of the people in both countries, China-FSM relationship will usher in an even brighter future.
To conclude, I would like to propose a toast,
For the brighter future of China-FSM relationship,
For the friendship and happiness of the people of China and FSM,
For the good health of all present,
Ganbei! Cheers!