Remarks by H.E. Ambassador Tang Songgen at
the IEC Grand Final
202212/03, Tenimanraoi Maneaba, Betio
Your Excellency President Taneti Maamau and First Lady Teiraeng Maamau,
Honorable Minister Booti Nauan and your good wife,
Honorable Ministers and MPs, Secretaries, Unimwane and Unaine,
Selected judges,
Members of diplomatic corps,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Kam naba nani mauri!
It's a real delight to attend this year Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition. First of all, I would like to express my great appreciation to MTCIC led by Hon Minister Booti and IEC Committe members from government Ministries and project manager Ataake. You have overcome the difficulty of COVID-19, jointly making this year's IEC another great success.
During the first IEC of last year, we witnessed many talented participants and outstanding proposals. Mr Materi who gave the idea of Biogas left a great impression to everyone. According to the program, he will brief you his project which could be helpful and inspiring. The purpose of innovation is promoting economic development, improving livelihood and better serving the people. I am very glad to see new contestants join the IEC to contribute to their innovation industry of Kiribati.
Ladies and gentlemen,
As we know, China is the second-largest economy in the world and has gone through tremendous economic growth in the last 40 years.China has created three major miracles namely the fast economic development, long-term social stability and peaceful rise. One of the key secrets of China's fast development is innovation and entrepreneurship. Kiribati is a nation full of potential. The country is endowed with incomparably abundant natural resources like fish and coconut. Kiribati people are talented and smart. I have heard many special techniques created and mastered by i-Kiribati, like toddy cutting, canoe building, Tamana pump and weaving. Thus, together with MTCIC, the Embassy is quite proud to initiate this platform of IEC to provide all the gifted i-Kiribati with opportunities to present their talents and ideas, so as to achieve prosperity through creativity.
As Chinese President Xi Jinping stressed in the report of the 20th National Congress of CPC, innovation is the primary driving force of growth. China is sticking to an innovation-driven development strategy and endeavors to nurture a culture of innovation. In a recent report published by World Intellectual Property Indicators (WIPI), China came top in terms of global patent fillings in 2021, way ahead of all other countries. Particularly, China's innovation in sectors like next-generation telecommunication, artificial intelligence, quantum computing and clean energy is booming. The Tug and Barge handed over recently is a good example of innovation. I applaud the efforts made by the KNSL team and experts in designing the vessels according to the special situations of Kiribati outer islands, making it a game changer in inter-island connectivity.
Kiribati government is also leading the innovation on the governance level. During the past two years, we have seen the introducing and implementing of many new policies, which have brought enormous tangible benefits to Kiribati people. I believe you all agree that Kiribati government has made great changes to the nation, achieving many goals set by KV20. The improvement can be noticed everywhere, like greater purchasing capacity of people, more products in wholesalers, faster internet services, more frequent shipping, etc. I believe we all look forward to more changes and growths.
Ladies and gentlemen,
As we all live in a more challenging world today, the common desire for peace and development has been stronger than ever. Facing the deficit of international governance and development, China has given its solutions through proposing the Belt and Road Initiative Global Development Initiative and Global Security Initiative. Guided by the shared human values of peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy and freedom, we have worked hard with all partners to implement these Initiatives, promote international cooperation and endeavor to bring more benefits to international community. China will continue to provide more certainty and opportunity to the world, share more benefits of China's development with all nations including Kiribati. Let's work together to build a community of shared future for mankind.
I wish every contestant gives your best performance, shares your unique and brilliant ideas and proposals, contributes to the development of the nation and generates more benefits to fellow i-Kiribati. The Embassy is glad to further support the best proposals to be implemented in Kiribati.
Finally, I wish to conclude with Kiribati traditional blessing Te mauri, te raoi ao te tabomao!
Thank you.