On the afternoon of March 23rd, 2004, Chinese President Hu Jintao met in the Great Hall of the People with visiting President Joseph Urusemal of the Federated States of Micronesia.

Hu Jintao said bilateral relations had been developing very smoothly ever since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Micronesia 15 years ago. With frequent exchanges of top-level visits, the two sides had enhanced their mutual understanding and friendship. He noted bilateral cooperation in economic and trade activities between the two countries had been very productive and the prospect was even brighter. He added that the two sides had conducted wonderful cooperation in international and regional affairs. The Chinese side thanked the Federated States of Micronesia for upholding the one-China policy, not developing official ties with Taiwan and supporting China's righteous stance on the Taiwan question.

Hu Jintao said that both China and Micronesia are developing countries and China attaches great importance to developing friendly relations of cooperation with the Federated States of Micronesia. He noted that China would like to maintain exchanges of top-level visits, enhance mutual political trust, and expand exchanges and cooperation in various fields with Micronesia, based on the principles of mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit and common development. He hoped that the two sides would enhance coordination in international and regional affairs so as to push forward China-Micronesia relations to a new height in the new century.

When talking about China's relations with the South Pacific Island States, Hu Jintao said the overall situation of the South Pacific region has been kept stable. He noted that China's political relations with the South Pacific Island States, Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), the Forum Presiding Officers Conference (FPOC) and other regional organizations had been strengthened constantly and bilateral exchanges had been increasingly frequent. He added that China supported the South Pacific Island States' efforts in safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity, developing national economy and regional cooperation, establishing a nuclear-free zone in the South Pacific and protecting the resources and environment of the region. He said China would like to push its relations with the South Pacific Island States toward more sound, deep and lasting development together with these countries.

President Urusemal expressed his appreciation to President Hu Jintao as well as the Chinese government for their warm invitation and hospitality. He said the visit gave him a chance to understand China's time-honored history, glorious culture and rapid development, all of which had deeply impressed him. He noted that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Micronesia, the two countries had maintained sincere and friendly exchanges. He added that the government and people of his country would like to offer their heartfelt thanks to China for its precious assistance over the years which had played an important part in the social and economic development of the Federated States of Micronesia. His government would like to intensify cooperation with China in all sectors so as to promote development of friendly and mutually beneficial relations of cooperation between the two sides.

President Urusemal reiterated that the Federated States of Micronesia firmly adheres to the one-China policy, saying that the one-China policy was one of the most important foreign policies of his country. The Micronesian President also complimented the foreign policies China had pursued in regional and international affairs and appreciated the support of the Chinese government on Micronesia's accession to international and regional organizations.

After the talks, President Hu Jintao and President Urusemal attended the signing ceremony of economic and technical agreements between the two governments.

President Hu Jintao held a welcoming ceremony for President Urusemal at the North Wing of the Great Hall of the People prior to the talks. Vice Chair of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) He Luli, State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan, Vice Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Zhang Kehui, Vice President of the Central Committee of the Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang (RCCK) Li Ganliu and Minister of Commerce Bo Xilai attended the welcoming ceremony.