In order to celebrate the 61^st Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China, H.E. ZHANG Weidong, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to the Federated States of Micronesia hosted a reception at China Star Restaurant in the evening of September 28, 2010. Attended were President Mori, 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, representatives from diplomatic corps, Chinese compatriots  residing in Pohnpei, which all together amounted to more than 100 guests.

H.E. Ambassador ZHANG Weidong and Her Honorable Chigiyal, Deputy Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs made their remarks separately.

Full text of H.E. Ambassador ZHANG's remarks is as following: 

"Kaselehlie Main! Good evening!

Thank you all for joining us today on the coccasion of the 61^st anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

61 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. 61 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. 32 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 grow 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.

How come the miracle was achieved in such a short period of time? Summarizing our 61 years practice, we believe the most important reason is that China has chosen a correct path of development with Chinese characteristics. The Chinese characteristics mean handling affairs or formulating policies judging from China's reality and features of its own, while compliant with the objective law of the economy and social development. The basic policy is reform and opening-up and the path of development is peaceful development, meaning to foster a peaceful international environment for our development and at the same time contribute to world peace through our development.

---We are persistent to the principle of independence and self-reliance.

---We keep pace with the times and pursue the opening and reform policy.

---We emphasize enhancing the abilities of administration and adhering to the principle of people-oriented.

---We are eager to learn from the good experience of other countries, but adapted to local situation and characteristics.

---We promote mutual respect and peaceful coexistence with other sovereign states and never seek hegemony.

While taking pride from the rapid growth and remarkable achievement, we are clear-headed about our place and role in today's world. China's social-economic development is still imbalanced. China's per-capita GDP is still one tenth of that of the developed countries; China's products remains at the lower end of the global industrial chain; China's exports are low in technology content and in added value; Many places in China's central and western regions and the vast rural areas are still rather backward, and there are still 150 million people living below the poverty line set by the UN. Taken as a whole, China is still in the primary stage of socialism and remains a developing country. China will continue to move forward along the "reform and opening-up" road, and stay firmly committed to the peaceful development strategy. China's development will not harm or "threat" anyone in anyway. A strong and peaceful China will be in the interest of all countries, and will provide chances and benefits rather than challenges. With it's vast market and abundant human resources, we have confidence in our ability to sustain a moderate pace of development.

Recalling our great achievements, we will not forget the support from our friendly countries.  Today, we have established diplomatic relationship with 171 countries, and the Federated States of Micronesia is one of them. We are happy to see that the relations between our two countries have been sound and firm unswervingly ever since we established the diplomatic ties 21 years ago, on September 11^th, 1989. In the past 21years, the mutual trust, mutual exchanges and cooperation between our two countries in all fields are increasingly enhanced in width and depth. Take some big events of this year for example:

--Seven months ago, we, the Chinese Embassy, the National Government and the State Government of Pohnpei, held jointly the handover ceremony of the Administrative Building of the Pohnpei State, which turned out to be a big gathering of the people all over the island.

--Five months ago, we had the handover ceremony of the Kosrae High School Compound, which became a great celebration of parents and children. His Excellency Special Envoy Du Qiwen of China to the Pacific Island Forum Dialogue and Yantai delegation visiting the FSM were among us.

--Four months ago, His Excellency President Mori paid an official visit to China and took part in the opening ceremony of the Shanghai World Expo. He and President Hu Jintao of China had friendly talks and agreed to further develop the friendly relations between our two countries.

--Three months ago, the Chinese Chongqing Acrobatic Troup feasted the FSM people with the fascinated performances, showing the beauty, the strength and the flexibility of the Chinese young Acrobatic artists. And the Guangdong Delegation came to visit the FSM soon after.

---One month ago, His Honorable Vice President Alik headed the FSM delegation consisted of many cabinet members and senators of the FSM and leaders from all of the four states to host the FSM National Day at the Shanghai World Expo. The wonderful unique bamboo and stick dances performed by the artists from Yap and Chuuk States turned out to be a big hit and impressed the audience greatly.

--Four weeks ago, Chinese agricultural technicians arrived in Pohnpei to start the 7^th phase of the China-aided Pilot Farm in the FSM. All the five experts are here with us. They are: Mr. RUAN Wanhui, Head of the Group, Mr. TANG Liangcheng, Mr. XIANG Zemin, Mr. WANG Daming and Mr. LIU Qizhong. Let's welcome them and thank them for the contribution to the agricultural cooperation between our two countries.

---Two weeks ago, Honorable Secretary Skilling and Deputy Secretary Chigiyal headed a delegation to visit China and they are back with successful results.

---One week ago, five Chinese films were shown in four days in Pohnpei Cinema and attracted hundreds of audience and were greatly welcomed by the public.

---Next month, the China donated cargo and passenger vessel, "Chief Mailo" will sail back to Chuuk after maintenance in China. And another vessel "Hapilmohol-1", also donated by China, will be dry-docked in China soon after.

-- This year, the Chinese Government scholarship has been granted to another 13 FSM students and a total of 20 people have participated in various human resources training programs in China.

--This year is the second year for the Chinese teacher, Mr. Chen, who has been doing very well in the COM and who will show his talents later this evening.

--This year is also the second year for the five Chinese doctors who have been providing expertise and services to the Chuukese people and cured hundreds, some cases are well known not only in Chuuk State, but also in the FSM and the pacific region as a whole.

---This year, we will continue to discuss some new projects of bilateral cooperation and exchanges between our two countries, some of which have been under serious consultation and will be decided upon. They will definitely bring more benefits to the people of the FSM and enhance our friendship.

I've learned just now that a new organization relevant to China and the FSM was established and approved by the FSM Supreme Court yesterday. That is the Micronesia-China Friendship Assiciation, with Her Excellency First Lady Mori as the honorary President, His Excellency former President Haglegam as the President and Mr. Soumwei as the Vice President. This is really a good news in time. Congratulations and we wish you success in your work.

Ladies and gentlemen, the current world is undergoing profound changes. The world is in the process of recovering from the economic recession but we are still in rough waters. Global economic recession, poverty reduction, environment protection, climate change remain the common challenges afflicting the human race. It is only through mutual cooperation that we could finally overcome this hard time. China and the FSM are both developing countries, sharing the same targets in developing its economy and raising people's living standard. We are friends and brothers and sisters. As friends, we shall understand each other and we do; As friends, we shall trust each other and we do; As friends, we shall support each other and we do; As friends, we shall help each other and we do; As friends, we shall learn from each other and we do.

On this occasion, while I am proud of my nation's progress in the past 61 years, I feel more accountable to my nation's further prospect and stronger relations with the Federated States of Micronesia. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those doctors, teachers, technicians and others who are performing Chinese Government assisted programs in the FSM, for their contribution to the welfare of the FSM people and for the dedication of enhancing the friendly relations between our two countries. I would also like to thank those officials and staffs from national and state governments for their efforts and thank the people of the FSM for their understanding and support to us.

I am confident that we will continue to make utmost efforts to promote the mutual understandings and wider cooperation between our two countries and two peoples and work together to build a prosperous and harmonious world for our children. Our goal must be realized and our goal will surely be realized.

Now I would like to propose a toast:

To the continued prosperity of China,

To the growing friendship between China and the FSM and our peoples!

To the health and happiness of everyone present,

Cheers! 干杯!

Kalangan.

Xie Xie!

Thank you!"