Honorable Prime Minister Bob Loughman Weibur,
Honorable Deputy Prime Minister Alatoi Ishmael Kalsakau,
Honorable Ministers and Members of Parliament,
Ambassadors, High Commissioners, Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
It is a great honor to be invited to such a great warm reception tonight. I cannot help but think of an age-old saying: How time flies!
In August 2018, I set foot on the magical and beautiful land of Vanuatu for the first time. Soon after my arrival, I attended the first big event here: the completion and handover ceremony of the Malapoa College. The local chief led their tribe to welcome us with warm traditional dances. Then, more than three years have passed. Yet the scene at that time is still vivid in my mind, as if it happened yesterday.
Over the past three years and more, I have visited nearly 100 villages on the islands of Vanuatu. Whenever I see people dancing cheerfully, or sitting around the elders of the villages and drinking kava in the Nakamal, it always reminds me of the days of childhood. I was born in a remote mountain area in China and was a shepherd boy as a child. Chasing cattle and sheep under the blue sky, and helping adults do farm work was my first job. This once-in-a-lifetime experience made me love Vanuatu even more. Whether it is the ancient big banyan tree in Tanna or the towering peaks in Santo, they are both beautiful idyllic poems to me. Vanuatu is so beautiful. I think this natural beauty can only be described as paradise on earth. Yes, Vanuatu is a paradise in the vast Pacific Ocean.
Over the past three years and more, I was honored to attend the collective meeting between President Xi Jinping and the leaders of all Pacific island countries that have established diplomatic relations with China, including Vanuatu, in Papua New Guinea, and witnessed the sacred moment of the establishment of comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Vanuatu. I was fortunate to have participated in the CPC and World Political Parties Summit, the Pacific Island Countries-China Political Leadership Dialogue, and the first China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers' Meeting with many of you present here. I also witnessed the sincere congratulations on Centennial birthday of the Communist Party of China from the Vanua’aku Party, the Union of Moderate Parties and other political parties by sending letters, recording videos, etc. I also witnessed the official signing of the Belt and Road Cooperation Plan between the two governments. Thanks to so many in-depth exchanges at all levels, the mutual political trust between China and Vanuatu continues to deepen, and the two countries have become good friends who treat each other sincerely and respect each other.
Over the past three years and more, we jointly witnessed the completion of the Malapoa College. Thanks to this, more Ni-Vanuatu teenagers have got the opportunity to receive good education. we also witnessed the completion of the Tanna-Malekula Road Phase I, the ground breaking of the Tanna-Malekula Road Phase II, the Pentecost Road and Wharf, the three office buildings of the Presidential Palace, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Finance. These infrastructure projects will further enhance the governance capacity of the Vanuatu government, promote the interconnection between communities and villages, and inject new impetus into Vanuatu’s economic recovery and improvement of people’s livelihood.
Over the past three years and more, together we witnessed the signing of the “Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Development of Primary School Chinese Education Programs in Vanuatu”. More Ni-Vanuatu students have received Chinese government scholarships to study in China. I firmly believe that these cooperation will create unlimited opportunities for Ni-Vanuatu teenagers, who will be the pillars to promote the comprehensive and rapid development of Vanuatu. Together we see the Vanuatu government and enterprises attending the China International Import Expo four times in a row. More and more Vanuatu products have been introduced into the Chinese market. We have also witnessed deeper exchanges and cooperation in the field of police affairs between China and Vanuatu. I clearly remember, in 2019, the Vanuatu government assisted the Chinese Ministry of Public Security in arresting 12 major suspects in the “Plus Token” online crime case who had fled to Vanuatu. This successful cooperation not only saved huge economic losses for China, but also eliminated the potential threat to Vanuatu’s social order. It is through these practical exchanges and cooperation that China and Vanuatu have become good partners for common development, mutual benefit and win-win cooperation.
Though separated by vast oceans and mountains, China and Vanuatu enjoys long-lasting friendship. The vast Pacific Ocean used to be an insurmountable barrier for human beings, but now it has become a link and bridge of friendship. Countries in the world are no longer isolated islands divided by the ocean, but become a “big family” connected by the ocean. The COVID-19 pandemic reminds us once again, the future of mankind is closely linked. Building a community with a shared future for mankind conforms to the fundamental and long-term interests of all countries and peoples. This is the general trend.
In the fight against COVID-19, China and Vanuatu have always worked hand-in-hand, stood side-by-side, understood and helped each other. These concrete actions interpret the true meaning of building a community with a shared future for mankind. We never forget, when COVID-19 hit China the worst, it was the Vanuatu government that overcame its own financial difficulties and became the first country in the region to provide cash assistance to China. It is Vanuatu that views the pandemic in an objective and science-based manner, and clearly opposes politicization. As an old saying in China goes, “A drop of water shall be returned with a burst of spring”. China is deeply grateful and has been actively helping the Vanuatu government and people fight COVID-19. To our joy and relief, under the strong and correct leadership of the Vanuatu government, Vanuatu is gradually emerging from the haze of the epidemic, with victory in sight and dawn lying ahead.
Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the Vanuatu government and people have worked together to maintain COVID-free for a long time with extraordinary wisdom and ability, ensuring the health and safety of local people, and creating a world miracle in fighting COVID-19. Since the community outbreak this year, the Vanuatu government has responded rapidly and orderly. All sectors of society have united as one. Then Vanuatu has quickly and effectively controlled the spread of COVID-19, and ensured people’s health, social stability and economic development to the greatest extent. These achievements will surely go down in history.
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Vanuatu. Over the past 40 years, China-Vanuatu relations have continued to move forward. Especially since the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Vanuatu in 2018, our relationship has always maintained a high level.
In the congratulatory message to President, His Excellency Obed Moses Tallis on the 40th anniversary, Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke highly of our relations, saying that China-Vanuatu relations have become a model of mutual respect, solidarity and coordination between developing countries. Next week, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi will visit Vanuatu. This is the first time for China’s Foreign Minister to visit Vanuatu. I believe this visit will surely bring more opportunities to our practical cooperation across the board.
China is willing to work together with Vanuatu, and take the 40th anniversary as a new starting point, to further deepen and expand dialogue, exchange and cooperation between the two countries in various fields, and to push the China-Vanuatu comprehensive strategic partnership to a new level, which will surely benefit the two countries and the two peoples even more.
Tankyu tumas!