On 12th February, Ambassador TANG Songgen hosted the Chinese New Year reception at the Chinese Embassy in Kiribati. The reception was attended by H.E. President Taneti Maamau and First Lady Teiraeng Maamau, Vice President Dr Teuea Toatu and Madame Brusetta Toatu, cabinet Ministers and Members of Parliament, members of diplomatic corps, local Chinese community and friends from all walks of life in Kiribati.
Ambassador TANG Songgen extended warm new year greetings to all the guests. He reviewed China’s strategic achievements in coordinating COVID-19 response and economic and social development in 2020, especially poverty alleviation. He stressed that those achievements could not be made without the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China. Guided by the blueprint outlined by President Xi and President Maamau, China and Kiribati have promoted substantial cooperation in trade, transportation, energy, fishery, agriculture, education, medical care, people-to-people exchanges and other areas. China provided strong support to Kiribati Government during the fight against COVID-19, including US$ 350 thousand grant in cash and several batches of PPEs. China is willing to provide vaccines to our friends of developing countries in need. The year 2021 is the 100th birthday of the Communist Party of China. The Chinese people will embark on a new journey towards fully building a modern socialist country. We have full confidence that China-Kiribati relations will embrace greater momentum in the new year of Ox. Ambassador TANG expressed appreciation to Chinese community in Kiribati as a very important bridge of friendship and cooperation. He encouraged Chinese community to further promote bilateral cooperation and friendly exchanges between China and Kiribati.
President Maamau expressed warm new year greetings to all the Chinese in China, Kiribati and all around the world. Ox is the symbol of hard work and the ability to endure hardship, which is the most fitting quality in this challenging time. President Maamau recalled the fondness and excitement of Chinese for the lunar new year during his state visit to China early last year. This year, both sides will celebrate the 2nd anniversary of the resumption of Kiribati-China diplomatic relations and 1st anniversary of the reopening of Chinese Embassy in Kiribati. Although in a short period of time, the strength of Kiribati-China cooperation in various areas has been grown. Kiribati history places an important value on the contributions of Chinese settlers and descendants. President Maamau looks forward to enhancing business and trade links with China. President Maamau congratulated and applauded the government of the People’s Republic of China for putting the people and their lives above everything else and setting a great example in containing the virus and resuming the order of production and livelihood. President Maamau wished for the continuing prosperity of China and Chinese people, wished the new year be filled with kindness, compassion, opportunities and prosperity.
The highlight of the reception is the traditional lion awakening ceremony and dragon dance, during which the President and Ambassador jointly dotted the eyes of lions. Gorgeous programs were presented like Chinese song Prosperous Days by Kiribati singer, Kiribati song Kam na Marui Raora and local dance by Chinese diplomats and experts with Kiribati friends, Chinese culture and cooking shows as well as videos about Chinese New Year and Chinese culture.
