Remarks by H.E. Ambassador Zhou Limin at

Kiribati National Museum

(October 13th, 2023)

Chief Curator Marii Marae and your good team,

Kam na bane ni mauri! 

Today I'm delighted to visit the Kiribati National Museum with my wife. In fact, this is the first time that I have visited your museum after taking office and been exposed to the traditional culture of Kiribati. The artifacts here have left a deep impression on us.

In China, people always say the unique features of a local environment always give special characteristics to its culture. The Kiribati culture has a unique charm. The blue sea and sky, coconut groves and green pandanus nurture the passionate, enthusiastic, open and optimistic people of Kiribati. Traditional knowledge and cultural skills are a rich resource for Kiribati, demonstrating the wisdom of Kiribati people and the diversity of Kiribati culture.

As the Global Civilization Initiative proposed by H.E. President Xi Jinping mentions, the future of all countries is closely linked. Inclusiveness, coexistence, exchanges and mutual learning among different civilizations play an irreplaceable role in advancing humanity's modernization process and making the garden of world civilizations flourish.

Both the Chinese and Kiribati cultures are famous for their openness and inclusiveness, and have always brought new vitality through exchanges and mutual learning. Last year, artifacts of our two countries were exhibited in each other's museums and received wide praise from the public in both countries. I would like to take this opportunity to express our appreciation to the museum team for your hard work and valuable support in promoting cultural and people-to-people exchanges between our two countries. As the new Ambassador, I will play an active role to promote cultural exchanges between our two peoples.There are many opportunities for us to explore in the future. 

I will conclude my remarks with the Kiribati blessing, Te mauri, te raoi ao te tabomoa!