Dear friends,
My tenure as Chinese Ambassador to Kiribati has come to an end. I will be on a flight back to Beijing by the time you read this letter. On 19 March 2020, I was honored to set foot in the beautiful country of Kiribati and posted as the first Chinese Ambassador to Kiribati after we resumed diplomatic relations in 2019. I worked in Kiribati for more than 1000 days and nights. I learned, gained, enjoyed. The greatest gift of life is friendship, and I have received it in Kiribati. I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the support, kindness and hospitality I have received from all of you.
The most challenging thing is not the parting, but the waiting for the parting. I can't let go of the beautiful scenery here and the kind and loving people who have been my life's companions. Before I leave, fond memories flooded my mind like waves.
During these three years, I have been a witness to the rapid growth and vitality of Kiribati. I am so proud to see the great changes and development of Kiribati. New houses, restaurants, hotels and supermarkets are being built. There are more and more cars on the roads. Sometimes there are even traffic jams.
During these three years, my colleagues and I are proud to have visited 17 outer islands. From Kiebu village in Makin to Nantoon community in Tamana, even to Christmas island, we enjoyed the wonderful garlanding, learned to dance in the Kiribati traditional way, tasted fresh fish and coconuts, and listened to friends telling lot of beautiful stories. We have visited so many communities, Maneabas, schools, clinics, experience Kiribati with our heart and feet, to learn development condition, to respect and appreciate the unique culture, to listen to the people’s voice, to promote the friendship between our two great nations and peoples.
During these three years, we have done a lot of work together to promote our friendship and overcome challenges together. We together fought against COVID-19 and drought. We achieved substantial cooperation in transportation, livelihood, medical care, infrastructure, sustainable development, education, people-to-people exchanges and other areas. The tug and barge is cruising between Tarawa and outer islands. Growing number of outer islands are lightened by solar street lights and solar kits. Students on the outer islands are taking the China Aid school trucks to the school, and using desks and chairs donated by China in class.
There are too many memories to remember, to cherish, to collect, to summarize. What's most valuable is that, under the strategic guidance of the leaders of both countries, we have achieved fruitful results. I have been honored to be a participant, a witness and a promoter of the development of China-Kiribati relations. During these three years, bilateral relations have developed rapidly, bringing tangible benefits to both peoples. The mutual trust and support between our two countries has become a model of equal treatment between large and small countries.
Furthermore, one-China principle is a consensus of the international community and a basic norm governing international relations. 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. This has been clearly recognized by United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 of 1971. We really appreciate Kiribati's support for our core interests, upholding the one-China principle. This has proved that we stand on the right side of history. I am delighted to tell my friends here, on 26 March, the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Honduras decided to recognize each other and establish diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level. This is yet another example of how more and more countries and people are choosing to be on the side of justice. Kiribati is the 180th country, and Honduras is the 182nd country out of 193 UN member states to have diplomatic relations with China.
A modern Chinese poet once wrote, “The reason I have tears in my eyes is because I love this land so much.” Friendship is another word for love. Dear friends, when I boarded the plane to leave Tarawa, I can hardly say that I did not have tears in my eyes. Kiribati has become my second homeland, I love this country and the people here. Having served for three years, I'm well aware that the people of China and Kiribati share a desire to live in peace and to develop. I am so honoured to be part of it.
For more than 1,000 days and nights, I am overwhelmed with the support, kindness and hospitality that I have received from all of you. For more than 1,000 days and nights, I have carried out my duties conscientiously. For more than 1,000 days and nights, I have worked with my Kiribati colleagues to promote our bilateral relations, cooperation, and the well-being of our two peoples.
Just as there are different landscapes on the outer islands, but they are all inspiring. There are different customs in China and Kiribati, but praying for peace and hoping for development are the common aspirations of the people of China and Kiribati. China will always be a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development, and a defender of the international order. China will continue to pursue the "Four Persistences" in developing relations with Pacific island countries including Kiribati. That is to uphold equal treatment, to insist on mutual respect, to adhere to win-win cooperation, to adhere to openness and inclusiveness. As a responsible major country, China has proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Global Development Initiative (GDI), Global Security Initiative (GSI), Global Civilization Initiative (GCI). China will work with all peace-loving countries including Kiribati, further promote the building of a human community with a shared future. Together, we further promote shared prosperity and common development.
I sincerely and humbly ask my friends in Kiribati to continue to support the development of our bilateral relations, to continue our friendship and to strongly support the work of my successor. Dear friends, I firmly believe that with your valuable support, my successor will continue our work and bring even more benefits to the peoples of both our nations, promoting our bilateral relations and friendship to a new level, to a new chapter.
Please receive my sincerest wishes for the people and great nation of Kiribati. May the people of Kiribati be blessed with happiness, health, joy and prosperity. May the relationship between the two countries grow and bring more and more benefits to the peoples. Long live the friendship between China and Kiribati!
Please allow me to conclude with the Kiribati traditional blessings te mauri, te raoi, ao te tabomoa.