Your Honorable Peter M. Christian, Senator and Chairman of Committee on External Affairs,

Your Honorable Andy P. Choor, Senator and Chairman of Committee on Judiciary and Governmental Operations,

Your Honorable Rose N. Nakanaga, Secretary of Department of Finance and Administration,

Your Honorable Lorin S. Robert, Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs, and all the officials of the Federal Government,

Your Honorable Kandhi A. Elieisar, Special Advisor to the President,

Your Honorable Stevenson A. Joseph, Governor of the Pohnpei State, and Madame Aina Garstang, First Lady of Pohnpei,

Your Honoroble Mcgarry Miguel, Vice Speaker of the Pohnpei State Legislature and Acting President of the Micronesia-China Friendship Association,

Senators and Officials of the Pohnpei State,

Dear colleagues from the diplomatic corps,

Overseas Chinese in the FSM and from afar,

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Kamorale and Good evening! On behalf of the Chinese Embassy in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), I warmly welcome you to tonight’s reception as we celebrate the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China and the 36th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and the FSM. I would like to take this opportunity to pay sincere respects to local traditional leaders, and to express heartfelt thanks to friends from all sectors who have long championed China–FSM friendship, as well as to Chinese enterprises and compatriots in the FSM for your steadfast support.

This year marks the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Over the past 76 years, the Communist Party of China (CPC) has united and led the Chinese people of all ethnic groups across the country in tireless struggle, creating two miracles: rapid economic development and long-term social stability. China has undergone profound changes. Especially since the new era began, the CPC Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has been advancing the great social revolution through great self-reform. Starting with formulating and implementing the Central Committee’s eight-point decision on improving conduct, it leveraged this specific approach to advance full and rigorous Party self-governance, winning the trust and support of the people and advancing the modernization of the national system and capacity for governance. It has fought a decisive battle against poverty that is unprecedented in scale and intensity, and has benefited the largest number of people in human history, lifting nearly 100 million rural population out of poverty and achieving the poverty reduction goals of the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development ten years ahead of schedule. China has achieved a historic leap in its comprehensive national strength, people’s livelihoods, and global stature. Today, China is the only country in the world with all industrial categories in the U.N. Industrial Classification. Leveraging its super-large market, China is focused on building a high-standard socialist market economy system and advancing the comprehensive progress of education, science and technology, health, social security, and other undertakings throughout society.

In the first half of this year, China’s GDP surpassed 66 trillion yuan (equivalent to approximately USD 9.26 trillion), representing a year-on-year increase of 5.3 percent at constant prices. China’s economy maintained a steady and positive progress, with new quality productive forces growing stronger and high-quality development advancing toward new heights. Facing an increasingly complex and challenging external environment, China withstood pressure, rose to the challenge, sustained its stable and sound development, and continued to demonstrate resilience and vitality. China’s sustainable economic growth has injected positive energy into both its own development and that of the world. The international community has full confidence that China’s economy will sail steady and far.

This year marks the final lap of the 14th Five-Year Plan. Since the start of the 14th Five-Year Plan period, China’s scientific and technological breakthroughs have reached new heights. The 6,000-meter deep-sea remotely operated vehicle Haiqin completed a deep-sea voyage in the South China Sea, the DeepSeek-R1 open-source AI model ranked among the world’s top models for its high-efficiency inference capabilities, the Chang’e-6 lunar probe brought back samples collected from the moon’s far side for the first time in human history, and breakthroughs have been achieved in cutting-edge fields including integrated circuits, quantum computing, and humanoid robots, forming a strong momentum for new quality productive forces.

This year marks the 36th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the FSM. Over the past 36 years, the bilateral relations have deepened and our friendship has written new chapters.

Sailing on respect and equality, we have crossed thousands of miles of ocean. The diplomatic relations between China and the FSM set sail in 1989, carrying the principles of mutual respect and common development across the vast Pacific. High-level exchanges between our two countries have been highlighted: Last year, H.E. President Simina paid a successful visit to China. During the visit, President Xi Jinping and President Simina jointly charting the course for the China-FSM Comprehensive Strategic Partnership as a new journey began. This year, leaders and officials including Honorable Vice President Palik, Vice Speaker Romolo, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Robert, Secretary of Education Aisek have traveled to China for attending conferences and paying visits. Close exchanges and dialogue at all levels, and strengthened mutually beneficial cooperation across various fields, have forged a solid bedrock for the China-FSM friendship.

Building bridges of mutual understanding, we have spanned across cultural differences. Floral cooperation between our two nations has blossomed into a celebrated story. Cultural exchange programs like “taking drama performance overseas” have been widely welcomed among the people of the FSM. The FSM Student Summer Camp in Zhongshan has opened new windows for cultural exchanges between our young generations. The “China-FSM Friendship Video Competition” has captured the deep bonds between our peoples through the lens. Visits to China for various training programs have reached a new height.

Anchored by shared prosperity, we have bridged development divides. The China-Aid Agricultural Technical Cooperation Program in the FSM delivers tangible benefits to the people, earning widespread acclaim; Chinese medical teams bring medical services and medicines from China to local communities, improving people’s livelihood. The FSM National Convention Center where we gather today stands as yet another monument to our friendship. Through one after another tangible cooperation project, our two countries have channeled development and prosperity into the powerful tide across the Pacific.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Friends,

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. On September 3, China solemnly held a commemorative ceremony. Today, the Embassy is also hosting a photo exhibition to collectively remember history, honor the martyrs, cherish peace and create a better future. The Chinese people made an tremendous national sacrifice, with 35 million casualties, making  indelible and vital contributions to the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War. President Xi Jinping emphasized: “History cautions us that humanity rises and falls together. Only when all countries and nations treat each other as equals, coexist in peace and support each other, can we uphold common security, eradicate the root cause of war, and prevent the recurrence of historical tragedies.”

This year marks the 80th anniversary of Taiwan’s restoration. Taiwan’s return to China is an integral part of the victory of World War II and the postwar international order. In 1971, the U.N. General Assembly adopted Resolution 2758, recognizing the representatives of the Government of the People’s Republic of China as the only legitimate representatives of China to the U.N.. China’s sovereignty over Taiwan brooks no challenge. The authority of the U.N. General Assembly Resolution 2758 brooks no challenge and the one-China Principle brooks no challenge.

This year also marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. As a founding member of the U.N. and permanent member of the Security Council, China firmly supports the central role of the U.N. in the international system and sees it as its solemn duty to defend the authority of the U.N. and uphold the post-war international order. At present, the world is going through transformation and turbulence, and challenges such as climate change, food security and energy security keep cropping up. At the recent “Shanghai Cooperation Organization Plus” meeting, President Xi Jinping solemnly proposed the Global Governance Initiative. This is another significant public good contributed by China to the world, following the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative. It provides powerful impetus for advancing a more just and equitable global governance system and jointly moving toward a community with a shared future for humanity.

Today, under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, China is advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese modernization. Next month, the fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee will be convened to deliberate on formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan, drawing up the blueprint for national economic and social development over the next five years. China will continue to expand high-level opening up, sharing the vast opportunities of Chinese modernization with countries around the world, including the FSM. We also warmly welcome more friends from countries all around the world including the FSM to visit China and learn more about a real China in a multi-dimensional and comprehensive fashion.

Chinese people say: “Even mountains and seas cannot distance people with common aspirations.” At this new starting point of China-FSM relations, China stands ready to work with the FSM to earnestly implement the important common understandings reached by leaders of the two countries, deepen and solidify the China-FSM Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and better serve the interests of both countries and peoples.

Now, I would like to propose a toast:

To the development and prosperity of China and the FSM,

To the enduring friendship between the peoples of China and the FSM,

To the bright future of China-FSM relations,

Cheers!