Your Excellency President Taneti Maamau,
Hon. Vice President, Hon. Speaker, and your good spouses,
Hon. Ministers, MPs and your good spouses,
Respected Unimwane and Unaine,
Church leaders,
Colleagues from Diplomatic Corps,
Chinese Community members,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Kam na bane ni mauri!
On the auspicious occasion of the Chinese New Year—the Year of the Horse—we gather here to celebrate this traditional festival and renew our bonds of friendship. On behalf of the Chinese Embassy in Kiribati, I would like to extend my most sincere festive greetings and best New Year wishes to friends from all walks of life who have long cared for and supported China-Kiribati friendship!
At this beautiful moment of bidding farewell to the old and welcoming the new, I wish to take this opportunity to reflect on the past, look toward the future, and share some thoughts across three areas.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Amid a volatile international landscape in 2025, China remains a "stabilizing force". The past year marked a significant turning point in human history, as the world order that has been established since the end of the Cold War is being reshaped. Geopolitical conflicts continued to simmer, the economic recovery faced setbacks, and global challenges such as climate change and food security became increasingly prominent. Human society is facing increasing uncertainty. In the face of this turbulent international environment, China has consistently upheld the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind. We stand firmly on the side of peace, development, and the right side of history, injecting precious certainty into the world through our own stability.
Despite the headwinds and turbulence in the international environment, China is always a staunch defender of world peace. China follows the path of peaceful development and has not been involved in any foreign war for nearly half a century, maintaining the best record among major powers regarding peace and security. China is the only nuclear-weapon State that has pledged not to be the first to use nuclear weapons and is the largest contributor of peacekeepers among the permanent members of the UN Security Council. The Global Governance Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping has won the support of over 150 countries and international organizations. Furthermore, alongside countries with similar visions like Kiribati, we co-founded the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed), dedicated to providing more public security goods to the world.
The global development landscape is increasingly complex, but China is always an important contributor to global development. China’s contribution to global economic growth has remained at approximately 30% for many years. We are a top-three trading partner for 157 countries and regions. China firmly upholds the multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core and has granted 100% zero-tariff treatment for products from all Least Developed Countries with which we have diplomatic ties. Through the Belt and Road Initiative and the Global Development Initiative, we have invested a total of 2.36 trillion AUD to promote over 3,600 projects worldwide, providing sustained momentum for global development.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Chinese modernization is making steady and solid progress, with world-renowned achievements. In 2025, the Chinese economy maintained a steady and upward trend, once again proving its strong resilience and enormous potential.
From a macroeconomic perspective, China's GDP grew steadily, surpassing the 28 trillion AUD mark with a year-on-year increase of 5%. Regarding industrial development, the economic structure continues to optimize, with the service sector accounting for 57.7%, acting as the main engine of the economy. China's manufacturing value-added now accounts for nearly 30% of the global total, and its manufacturing scale is expected to remain number one in the world for the 16th consecutive year. In terms of technological breakthroughs, the open-source AI model DeepSeek stunned the world; the electromagnetic catapult technology of the aircraft carrier Fujian set multiple world records; and we also took the global lead in achieving stable operation of the "Artificial Sun"at 100 million degrees Celsius for 1,000 seconds.
In 2025, we formulated the 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development, drawing a grand blueprint for the next five years. 2026 marks the opening year of China's "15th Five-Year Plan." We will continue to unswervingly follow the path of high-quality development, bringing more new opportunities to the world.
Here, I would like to emphasize that there is only one China in the world, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory. The one-China principle is an objective fact and a basic norm universally recognized by the international community. The Chinese government and people have the firm will and sufficient capability to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity. The complete reunification of China is the long-cherished wish of generations of Chinese people and the mainstream of 5,000 years of Chinese history. The Kiribati government has been committed to the one-China principle, which is much appreciated. We sincerely hope and are confident that the Kiribati government and people will continue to firmly support the One-China principle, respect China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and work with China to safeguard the basic norms governing international relations.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Since the resumption of diplomatic ties over six years ago, China-Kiribati relations have maintained a healthy and stable momentum. The relations are making steady and sustained progress with fruitful pragmatic cooperation. The past year, in particular, saw a series of practical achievements, making our partnership a model for cooperation between China and Pacific Island countries. We witnessed the commencement of the Improvement of the South Tarawa Transport Network System Project, the completion of the Desalination Project, the completion of the Buota Bridge Renovation Project, and the progress of road construction on some outer islands. All these projects provide a more solid foundation for the livelihoods improvement of Kiribati people. Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi co-chaired the Third China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers' Meeting with H.E. President and Foreign Minister of Kiribati in Xiamen. Delegations of Kiribati youth leaders, outer islands representatives, senior officials visited China, building bridges of friendship between our peoples. The two governments signed the Framework Agreement on Enhanced Economic Partnership, establishing a higher-level institutional framework for our pragmatic cooperation.
These achievements would not have been possible without the strategic guidance of our leaders and the joint efforts of people from all sectors. In the new year, China is ready to work with Kiribati to actively implement the outcomes of the Third China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, and further deepen cooperation in education, health, sister-city relations, trade, and infrastructure, promoting China-Kiribati relations to new heights.
There is an old Chinese saying: "When brothers are of the same mind, they can cut through metal." In the Kiribati language, the ocean is the bond that connects us and symbolizes brotherhood. Although we are separated by the ocean, our shared hearts and visions keep us closely linked. Let us continue to work hand in hand to write a new chapter of China-Kiribati friendship and cooperation!
In Chinese culture, the Horse symbolizes speed and power; the Year of the Horse implies vitality, health, progress, and success. I wish all friends present here a spirit of Horse, may all your endeavors be met with Health and Success! 祝愿大家龙马精神，马到成功！
Thank you!