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

Hon. Acting Chief Justice Tetiro Semilota and your good spouse,

Hon. Vice President and Madam,

Hon. Ministers, and MPs and your good spouses,

Secretaries,

Colleagues from Diplomatic Corps,

Respected Unimwane and Unaine,

Church leaders, Mayors, and Directors, CEOs, Private Sectors,

My follow Chinese compatriots,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Kam na bana ni Mauri!

First, thank you, all dear friends, for attending today’s reception. As I humbly stand before you on this special occasion to bid farewell, mixed emotions are in my heart—Honored to be the Chinese Ambassador to Kiribati; Grateful for your strong support, kindness and hospitality; Nostalgic to leave the beautiful shore and lovely people; Joyful for all the wonderful memories and experiences in Kiribati; and firmly Confident of a brighter future of our two great nations, two great peoples and bilateral relations.

On March 19, 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. Three years have passed in the blink of an eye, but we together, shoulder to shoulder, have met the challenges, weathered the hard times of the pandemic. It has been an invaluable time for me.

The greatest gift of life is friendship, and I have received it in Kiribati. For more than 1,000 days and nights, I have carried out my duties conscientiously to promote our friendship. For more than 1,000 days and nights, I am overwhelmed with your support, kindness and hospitality. For more than 1,000 days and nights, I have the privilege to joint hands with Kiribati colleagues to promote cooperation, and the well-being of our two peoples. Here I have learned, gained, enjoyed. I would like to express my sincere gratitude and heartfelt thanks for you all.

At this point, I would also like to thank my fellow Embassy team, especially the local staff. Thank you for your professionalism, dedication and cooperation. We have become one big family and I will miss you all.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

For the past three years, I have enjoyed everyday living in this beautiful and peaceful country. Each day is precious and memorable to me. Kiribati already became my second hometown.

For the past three years, I have witnessed numerous achievements in our bilateral relations. There are so many highlights to remember, among our substantial cooperation in transportation, livelihood, medical care, infrastructure, sustainable development, education, people-to-people exchanges and other areas. I am delighted to share with all distinguished guests, the Chinese Government and Kiribati Government just signed the exchange letters for providing cash grant for the livelihood project to Kiribati for the fourth consecutive year. We are also working together to proceed the South-Tarawa Transport Network Project. Recently, the Chinese experts made on-site feasibility study at Kanton. We are proud to see they received warmly welcome by Kanton people.

Dear Friends,

All of these achievements would not be possible without the guidance of our leaders, especially President Xi Jinping and YE President Maaumau.

All of these achievements would not be possible without your hard work, dedication and collaboration. All Ministries, Hon. Members of Parliament, Departments, business entities, Church leaders, NGOs, and people from all walks of life involved in the two countries.

All of these achievements would not be possible without the adherence to justice and fairness. One-China principle is a consensus of the international community and a basic norm governing international relations. This has laid the foundation for our cooperation and has proved that both countries stand on the right side of history.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Our relationship is built on our shared values and natural bonds. 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 Kiribati and China .

Over the past decades, China has achieved remarkable economic development and social progress. The two sessions have just ended and now we have a new leadership. Xi Jinping is unanimously elected president of the People's Republic of China. The Chinese people are striding forward on a new journey to realize the Second Centenary Goal of building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects and to advance the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization.

China will continue to be a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development, and a defender of the international order, will continue to advocate and practice true multilateralism, will continue to promote humanity’s common values of peace, development, equity, justice, democracy and freedom. China will maintain high-quality development steadily, striving to create new opportunities for the world with China's own development, seeking synergy of the BRI, Global Development Initiative (GDI), Global Security Initiative (GSI), Global Civilization Initiative (GCI) with the KV20 and the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific, to bring more tangible benefits to the peoples of both countries.

Ladies and Gentlemen, My Dear Friends,

A modern Chinese poet once wrote, “The reason I have tears in my eyes is because I love this land so much.” But the past is the prelude, and the future is the expectation. I am sure that my departure does not mark the end of our friendship or our cooperation. Friendship of China and Kiribati will always be there. 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 bilateral relations and friendship to a new chapter. No matter how the international landscape may evolve, China will always be Kiribati’s good friend, good brother and good partner. China is ready to work with other development partners to bring new opportunities for Kiribati's development.

I would also like to take this opportunity to encourage the Chinese community in Kiribati to continuously work hard to contribute to both China and Kiribati. You are New Nantoons in the new era. You have become part of the local community, enrich the cultural diversity of this country, and contribute to its development. You are the shining stars representing genuine friendship between our peoples. I am so confident that you will continue to do so in the future.

Finally, 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!

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