Chinese Special Envoy to the China-Pacific Islands Forum Dialogue meets with President Mori

Government of the Federated States of Micronesia

Chinese Special Envoy to the China-Pacific Islands Forum Dialogue meets with President Mori

Palikir, Pohnpei (FSM Information Services): April 21, 2010 - On Tuesday, April 13, 2010, the Chinese Special Envoy for the China-Pacific Islands Forum Dialogue, H.E. Du Qiwen paid a courtesy call on President Mori in Palikir. Special Envoy DU was visiting FSM for the first time.

In the meeting, Special Envoy Du conveyed greetings from H.E. Hu Jintao, President of the People's Republic of China, and told President Mori that President Hu Jintao is looking forward to the President's State Visit to China next month to attend the Opening Ceremony of the Shanghi World Expo on May 1^st, 2010.

The Special Envoy also told the President that the Chinese government attaches importance with the relationship with the FSM and that bi-lateral relationship is considered a model for excellent relations.

President Mori welcomed Special Envoy Du and told him that he was honored by his visit since his position as Special Envoy is a very high level position on the PRC government. He thanked the people and the government of the People's Republic of China for the assistance that has been extended to the FSM and highlighted the improvements in the people-to-people relationships that have been improving between the countries, especially with the number of FSM students in China and the number of technical people coming to the FSM from China.

During the visit the President and the Special Envoy also had a chance to talk about improving tourism from China to the FSM and President Mori expressed his condolences on the mining tragedy that happened in China last week.

Special Envoy Du's goodwill visit lasted from April 12^th-15^th, and in addition to meeting with the President, members of Congress, and the Pohnpei State leadership, he also was able to go to Kosrae on April 14^th for the hand-over ceremony of the newly completed Kosrae High School Building which was funded by a grant from the People's Republic of China. There he met with Vice President Alik and the Kosrae State leadership and gave a speech at the event.

Note: China has been participating in the Pacific Island Forum Dialogue since 1989, and accredited its first Special Envoy in 2007. Hon. DU Qiwen is the second Special Envoy for the Pacific Island Forum Dialogue, and this is his first trip to the FSM since he assumed office in 2009.