Government of the Federated States of Micronesia

China's National Day Celebrated in the FSM

Palikir, Pohnpei (FSM Information Services): September 29, 2010 - In the evening of September 28, 2010, H.E. ZHANG Weidong, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to the Federated States of Micronesia hosted a reception at the China Star Restaurant in honor of the 61st Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China. President Mori, Ambassador Sato Shoji of the Japanese Embassy, Floor Leader Suka, Chairman Urusemal, Chairman Mori, Chairman Welly, Senator Aritos, Secretary Robert, Deputy Secretary Chigiyal, Secretary Perman, Secretary Skilling, Secretary Henry, Secretary Itimai, Public Auditor Heinrick, Director Yatilman; Mr. Mida, National Chief of Staff, and Mrs. Mida; Mr. Joseph, Pohnpei State Chief of Staff, and Mrs. Joseph; Former Governor David, Speaker Pelep and Mrs. Pelep, Chief Justice Rodriguez, Senator Walter, and Chinese compatriots residing in Pohnpei, together with more than 100 guests attended the reception.

Addressing the guests, Ambassador ZHANG Weidong said: "Sixty-One years in the Chinese history of 5000 years is certainly very short and transitory. But this period of 61 years is a period of glory and success. In 61 years, China has gone through all the twists and turns and made miraculous progress step by step. Sixty-One years ago, on October 1, 1949, the Chinese people stood up and bid farewell to the old China, and successfully transferred a semi-colonized and semi-feudal country into a new one with sole sovereignty and independence. Thirty-Two years ago, in 1978, China adopted the "reform and opening up policy" and successfully put China in a fast-lane of economic development and kept China's economy growing at a high speed thereafter. Now China has become a more united and better-off developing country whose overall economic volume has become the third in the world."

Ambassador Zhang's speech was followed with a statement made by Deputy Secretary Chigiyal, in which she emphasized that FSM had benefitted greatly from China's development. Chigiyal thanked the Chinese Government, through Ambassador Zhang, "for the generous contributions that they have made [to the FSM] throughout the years, including the passenger cargo vessels in Chuuk and Yap, the Pohnpei Administration Building, and Kosrae High School." On behalf of the people and the Government of FSM, Chigiyal congratulated Ambassador Zhang and all Chinese people for this 61st anniversary milestone.