On May 25th, 2023, Mr. ZHANG Weitao, Charge d’Affaires ad interim of the Chinese Embassy in the FSM, published an article titled To Develop China-FSM Friendship Conforms to the Interests of the Two Countries and the Trend of History on The Kaselehlie Press, the only newspaper in the FSM (bi-weekly), in its Vol. 23 and Iss. 13. The full text is as follows:

China extends warm congratulations to the new leaders of the Federated States of Micronesia elected on May 11. At this important moment, many friends have asked me how I see the past and future development of China-FSM relations. Not long ago, Mr. Michael Henry published an opinion editorial on The Kaselehlie Press, offering his insights on the China-FSM relations. Although I don’t know him personally, I pay tribute to him as well as to the thousands of people who support and maintain China-FSM friendship. In this context, I’d like to share with our friends of FSM some of my observations: 

1. China-FSM cooperation has yielded fruitful results. Bearing in mind the fundamental interests of the two peoples and with extraordinary wisdom and foresight, the leaders of China and the FSM made the wise decision to establish diplomatic ties on September 11th, 1989, opening a new chapter in our bilateral relations. Over the past 34 years, thanks to the joint efforts of both sides, China-FSM relations have achieved fruitful results, not only bringing tangible benefits to the two countries and two peoples, but also promoting the regional peace, stability and prosperity.

China has long been providing assistance to the FSM with no political strings attached. In the process, we fully respect the will of the national government, state governments and people, who sincerely welcome Chinese assistance as it has strongly boosted their economic and social development. For example, China assisted the construction of the Secondary Road project located in Madolenihmw, the Kahmar Bridge, the Chuuk State government building, the Kosrae bridge, and several China-FSM friendship multi-purpose gymnasiums. China also provided one Yun-12 aircraft and three cargo and passenger ships to the FSM. The list goes on and on.

In addition to the above-mentioned major infrastructure projects, we focus on development by coaching one to fish rather than giving one fish. China stays attentive to the actual needs of the FSM, works to align assistance with the FSM’s development plans, focuses on improving the livelihoods of local communities, and building local capacity for independent development. For example, we carry out Pilot Farm project to teach local people how to grow vegetables, breed pigs and use bio-gas. We offer many types of government scholarships to the FSM students and encourage them to go to China for further study. Most of them return to the FSM after graduation and devote themselves to the nation-building of the FSM.

China and the FSM have always stood in solidarity, offered mutual assistance and worked together to fend off the virus since the outbreak of COVID-19. Immediately after the outbreak of the pandemic, the FSM provided one hundred thousand US dollars to China to support its fight against the virus. True friendship will stand the test of adversity. China appreciates the valuable understanding and support of the FSM, and this is something we Chinese will not forget. As a nation who always reciprocates kindness, China has been supporting the FSM’s COVID-19 response as best as it can, including hundreds of thousands of US dollars in cash donations, multiple batches of anti-epidemic supplies and 30 modular isolation units for the purpose of COVID-19 response, which have played an active role in helping the FSM defeat the pandemic.

All things considered, it is in the common interests of the two countries to maintain and develop China-FSM relations. We should cherish the path our predecessors have blazed and their painstaking efforts, carry forward traditional friendship, stick to the right direction, advance the cause of friendship and move toward the goal of win-win cooperation. 

2. The People's Republic of China is a reliable friend and partner of the FSM. Both China and the FSM are developing countries with painful experiences of being bullied and oppression by foreign colonial domination. Both uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, abide by the basic norms governing international relations of respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity and non-interference in internal affairs. Both are committed to the common goals of independence, economic development and a better life for the people.

China is one of the first countries to recognize the FSM’s independence, establish diplomatic ties with the FSM and support the FSM’s membership in the United Nations. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties 34 years ago, China has always supported the FSM in exploring its own development and revitalization and achieving common prosperity. China has always upheld mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit and sincere cooperation with the FSM. We never interfere in the FSM’s internal affairs, never bully the FSM as a small country, and never force the FSM to do something against its will. 

As a responsible major country, China stands upright with honor. For Pacific island countries, China is not a “stranger”, but an “old friend” who has been well known and trusted for many years. The all-round development of China’s relations with island countries is not a result of reverie and empty talks, but an outcome of vision and painstaking efforts. The facts have proved that the exchanges between China and the FSM did not and will not affect regional security and stability. What we focus on is economic development, what we care about is improving people’s well-being, and what we are doing is building roads and bridges. We have no intention of competing with anyone for influence, nor are we interested in engaging in geographical competition.

On this planet, a rich country cannot always be a rich country, and a poor country cannot always be a poor country. The 21st century should be an era for developing countries to accelerate their development. While pursuing Chinese modernization with high-quality development, China is willing to help and support Pacific island countries, including the FSM, to jointly realize the historical mission of accelerating development and revitalization.

3. The red line of the one-China principle must not be trampled. The Taiwan question concerns China’s internal affairs that involves China's core interests and the Chinese people's national sentiments, and no external interference will be tolerated. The one-China principle is the political foundation for China’s relations with all the countries including the FSM. It is also the basic norm of international relations and the prevailing consensus of the international community. Some of FSM friends might ask what one China means? The only right answer is, there is but one China in the world, Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory, and the government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China. Just as the word “Unity” is engraved on the national emblem of the FSM, every Chinese has the same dream of reunification.

A total of 182 countries have established diplomatic relations with China on the basis of the one-China principle. All of those fully demonstrate that the one-China principle meets the shared aspiration of the people and constitutes an irresistible trend of times. On upholding one-China principle, truly far-sighted statesmen in the world will not fail to see the trend of times, and great statesmen with fundamental interests of their people in mind will never hesitate to make the rational and right choice.

Since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries, successive FSM governments have adhered to the one-China principle and worked for advancing bilateral relations with China. Any attempt to slander China-FSM friendly cooperation or shake the political foundation of bilateral relations will not succeed. Last month, the 22nd FSM Congress passed a resolution to reaffirm its support for the one-China policy, which fully demonstrated the common aspiration of the people. Looking ahead, China-FSM relations embrace new opportunities and broad prospects for development. China is ready to work with the FSM to firmly support each other’s core interests, strengthen and expand practical cooperation in various fields, and jointly promote in-depth development of China-FSM Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, so as to bring greater benefits to our two peoples.