Xi Holds Talks with Micronesian President

Chinese President Xi Jinping on December 13 held talks with visiting President of the Federated States of Micronesia David W. Panuelo, calling for joint efforts to advance bilateral ties and provide better benefits for the two peoples.

Xi welcomed Panuelo’s visit to China as the two countries celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries, and spoke highly of Panuelo’s commitment to developing bilateral ties and firmly upholding the onechina principle.

He called on both sides to complement each other’s advantages and further expand cooperation in such fields as trade, investment, agriculture, fisheries, infrastructure construction, and tourism under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative.

He also welcomed Micronesia to export more products with competitive advantages like tuna to China, to make full use of the policies and measures China has announced on cooperation with and support for island countries, and carry out more pragmatic cooperation projects that benefit people’s livelihoods.

Panuelo said the Micronesian side spoke highly of Xi’s proposal of building a community with a shared future for humanity, which would play an important role in promoting world peace and stability.

Micronesia, as a small country, is appreciative of the equal treatment and respect offered by China, he said, noting that China was the first country to provide support to Micronesia’s national independence and liberation movement as well as assistance to its national development.

He reiterated Micronesia’s stance on abiding by the one-china principle and maintained that Hong Kong, Xinjiang, and Tibet affairs are China’s internal affairs.

Hailing the two countries’ cooperation over the past 30 years, Panuelo pledged to further expand cooperation in economy and trade, infrastructure construction, agriculture, and education, and jointly build the Belt and Road.