Remarks by H.E. Ambassador Tang Songgen at the Farewell Reception 

2023/03/27, State Guest House

Your Excellency President Taneti Maamau and First Lady Madam Teiraeng Maamau,

Hon. Vice President and Madame,

Hon. Ministers, Hon. MPs and your good spouses

Secretaries, Mayors, Unimwane and Unaine,

Colleagues from Diplomatic Corps,

Church leaders, My fellow Chinese compatriots,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Kam na bana ni Mauri!

Thank you very much, Your Excellency Mr. President, for hosting such a grand farewell reception for me. As Chinese Ambassador to Kiribati, this is a great honor, also a reflection of friendly relations between our two nations.

I have set foot on this beautiful shore of Kiribati for three years. In the past three years, I have felt the enormous kindness and friendliness of the Kiribati people, witnessed the great changes and development of Kiribati. Now I am leaving for Beijing, but my time in Kiribati has been deeply engraved in my mind. I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt thanks to all of you, for your kindness, strong support and unremitting efforts to promote friendly and mutually beneficial relations between our two countries.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The most challenging thing is not parting, but waiting for parting. Kiribati has become my second hometown, I love it so much. I can't let go of the beautiful scenery, the kind and lovely people. Before I went to bed in recent nights, fond memories, like the waves, flooded into my mind uncontrollably.

I will never forget the sense of justice, when I saw the Chinese national flag flying high over Tarawa three years ago. When Y.E. Mr. President Maamau attended the solemn ceremony of reopening the embassy, we unveiled a plaque and cut a cake together.

I will never forget the joy, when I visited communities, schools and outer islands, from Kiebu village in Makin to Nantoon community in Tamana. I enjoyed wonderful garlanding, learned Kiribati traditional dance, tasted fresh fish and coconuts, and listened to Kiribati friends sharing beautiful stories of Kiribati. To my surprise, I found “Nantoon Story”, a shining example of friendship between our two peoples in history.

I will never forget my mission, the Embassy team visiting 17 outer islands, to 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. We together promoted substantial cooperation in transportation, livelihood, medical care, sustainable infrastructure, development, education, people-to-people exchanges and other areas. We together fought against COVID-19 and drought. The tug and barge is cruising between Tarawa and outer islands. Growing number of outer islands are lightened by solar street lights. Students on the outer islands are taking the Chinese school trucks to the school, and studying in the desk and chair sets.  

Ladies and Gentlemen,

There are too many memories to remember, to cherish, to collect, to summarize. What's most valuable is that in the past three years since the resumption of diplomatic relations of China and Kiribati, bilateral relations have developed rapidly, bringing tangible benefits to our peoples. The mutual trust and support between our two countries has become a model of equal treatment between large and small countries. The elements behind this are the natural bond and commonalities between us. They can be summed up in the following three points.

First, both Chinese and Kiribati people have leadership with strategic vision. Under the leadership of H.E. Mr. President Maamau, KV20 is leading the people of Kiribati to a better future. Meanwhile, the Chinese people, under the strong leadership of H.E. Mr. President Xi Jinping, have embarked on a historic journey of Chinese-path modernization to realize the building of a modern socialist country in all respects. In addition, President Maamau made a strategic decision to restore diplomatic relations with China in accordance with the one-China principle, which is a consensus of the international community and a basic norm governing international relations. This strategic decision is on the right side of history. It is on the right side of fairness and justice.

Second, both China and the Kiribati government adhere to a people-centered philosophy. I could see that the Kiribati government's top priority is the people's needs, which coincides with the Chinese government's original intention of serving the people. The two sides have a lot of convergence in health care, education and other areas related to people's livelihood. It is also our common goal to eliminate inequality and enable all people to live a happy and wealthy life.

Third, both Chinese and Kiribati people are optimistic, open and inclusive. Both peoples like singing and dancing, but in different styles. My embassy team just showed our dancing talent during the Chinese New Year reception. I am so happy that the Kiribati friends liked it very much. I also felt much younger and more energetic. Both peoples are optimistic, no doubt they can overcome any challenges with that spirit. I have learned a lot from the Kiribati people here. I will pass on the goodness and spirit to more people.

With these natural bonds, I am so confident of a brighter future for our two peoples, our two great nations and our bilateral relations. Another important reason why I am so confident is because of China’s policy. China has always been committed to its foreign policy goal of upholding world peace and promoting common development. It is dedicated to promoting a human community with a shared future. 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. No matter how the international landscape may evolve, China will always be Kiribati’s good friend cherishing the same ideals and following the same path, good brother sharing weal and woe, and good partner forging ahead shoulder to shoulder. China will work with other development partners for the benefit of Kiribati's development and people's welfare. I strongly believe that with your valuable support, my successor will be able to promote our relations to a new level.

I will conclude my remarks with Kiribati blessings, Te Mauri te Raoi ao te Tabomoa!