On January 6, 2020, President Xi Jinping held talks with President Taneti Maamau of Kiribati at the Great Hall of the People.

Xi Jinping pointed out, at the beginning of the new year, the world is witnessing mingled good and bad news as well as growing instabilities and uncertainties. Mr. President's visit to China coincides with the first snowfall this year in Beijing. There is a Chinese saying which goes, "A fall of seasonal snow gives promise of a fruitful year." China has the confidence to secure better development in 2020.

Xi Jinping stressed, China and Kiribati resumed diplomatic relations in September last year on the basis of the One China principle, opening a new chapter for the development of bilateral relations. Mr. President and the Kiribati government stand on the right side of history, fully embodying your strategic vision and political courage. The Chinese side speaks highly of such gesture. Since the resumption of diplomatic relations, both sides have conducted robust exchanges and cooperation in various areas and at all levels with quite a few early-harvest outcomes. Facts proved that it is in the interests of both peoples to restore diplomatic relations, and bilateral relations enjoy broad prospects for development. Mr. President's visit to China is an important landmark in China-Kiribati relations. China stands ready to work with the Kiribati side to elevate bilateral relations to new highs and promote more fruitful outcomes of bilateral relations.

Xi Jinping emphasized, the two sides need to deepen political mutual trust. The Chinese side has always held that all countries, no matter big or small, should be equal and all countries should respect one another's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and treat each other as equals. China sticks to the path of peaceful development, and does not seek hegemony even when we become stronger and interfere in other countries' internal affairs. Meanwhile, China will not allow other countries to interfere in its own affairs. The Chinese side respects the Kiribati side's choice of a development path that suits its own national conditions, and stands ready to enhance exchanges at high level and across various levels and share experience in state governance and administration with the Kiribati side. The two countries signed a memorandum of understanding on jointly building the Belt and Road Initiative this time. The two countries should expand practical cooperation by seeking the synergy of the Belt and Road Initiative with Kiribati 20-year vision development plan. The Chinese side is willing to encourage more Chinese enterprises to invest in Kiribati. The Chinese side has approved the listing of Kiribati as a destination for Chinese tour groups. Both sides can enhance people-to-people and cultural exchanges and sub-national cooperation. The Chinese side is willing to, together with the Kiribati side, enhance communication and cooperation within multilateral mechanisms including the United Nations and the Pacific Islands Forum, and continue to offer assistance and support to the Kiribati side in tackling climate change under the framework of South-South cooperation to safeguard the common interests of developing countries

Taneti Maamau said, it is based on trust and confidence in China that the Kiribati side made the important decision to restore diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China by eliminating interference. Although Kiribati and China restored diplomatic relations not long ago, both countries have scored remarkable outcomes in bilateral cooperation. I reaffirm that the Kiribati side will firmly adhere to the One China policy, respect China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and support China's "one country, two systems" policy and its realization of the great cause of reunification. The Kiribati side appreciates the Chinese side's valuable support, and looks forward to enhancing cooperation with the Chinese side in areas including economy, trade, investment, tourism, fishery, education, healthcare and infrastructure. The Kiribati side speaks highly of China's important role in safeguarding world peace and promoting common development, and appreciates China's active commitment to advancing South-South cooperation and helping small and medium-sized developing countries such as Kiribati to speed up development and address challenges such as climate change. The Kiribati side is willing to work with the Chinese side to push bilateral relations for constant development, so as to benefit both peoples.

After the talks, the two heads of state witnessed the signing of multiple documents on bilateral cooperation between the two governments in areas including advancing the building of the Belt and Road Initiative.

Prior to the talks, Xi Jinping held a welcome ceremony for Taneti Maamau at the North Hall of the Great Hall of the People. Peng Liyuan, Yang Jiechi, Ji Bingxuan, Wang Yi, He Lifeng, Liu Xincheng and others were present.