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Third Envoy from PRC Presents Credentials to Nena

PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM Information Service): September 12, 1997 - The third resident People's Republic of China Ambassador to the FSM Mr. Xu Jun presented his credentials to President Jacob Nena, yesterday, September 11, 1997, in a brief ceremony held at the Cabinet Room in Palikir, Pohnpei.

Ambassador Xu Jun after presenting his letter of credence to President Nena conveyed greeting from President Jiang Zemin and Premier Li Peng to the President, and said that since the FSM's independence in 1986, FSM has scored gratifying achievements in maintaining national independence and state sovereignty, developing national economy, improving the livelihood of its people and promoting regional cooperation. "We heartily rejoice at these achievements and wish your people new and greater success," he added.

The exchange of cooperation in the political, economic, cultural and educational fields between the two countries have been strengthened and achieve good results since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the FSM and PRC, said the Ambassador.

He added that his government attaches importance to the friendly relations and cooperation with the FSM and is willing, together with the FSM Government to continue to strengthen the understanding and friendship between the two countries on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence so as to push the bilateral relations to a new high.

Ambassador Xu told the President that during his tenure of office, he will exert his utmost to promote the friendly relations and cooperation between the two countries and peoples. He assured the President he is sure that he will have full assistance from the President and his government.

President Nena after calling the occasion important welcomed the Ambassador and his wife Mrs. Ling to the FSM. Accepting the Ambassador's credentials, remarked, PRC's economic cooperation and technical assistance to the FSM over the years are making positive contributions to our nation-building efforts. "I, therefore, want to take this opportunity to assure your government, through you, Mr. Ambassador, that my government is indeed doing its best to make sure those assistance achieve the purpose for which they were available."

The President told the Ambassador that two years ago, the FSM started undergoing major economic reform "[...] which acknowledges the role of the donor countries and institutions in our development. It also reaffirms, perhaps more importantly, the need to ensure the success of these assistance". PRC government and organizations that "[...] you support undoubtedly have the same interest as the FSM does," Nena said, adding, "We, therefore, look forward to working together in this regard."

He said he looks forward to working closely with the Ambassador to further strengthen the friendship and cooperation that exist between their two countries. "We can be comforted by the fact that our efforts will build upon the very firm and strong foundation already laid by your predecessors, most recently by his Excellency Ambassador Chen Yong-chen."

President Nena asked the Ambassador to convey to his Excellency President Jiang Zemin his best wishes for his continuing good health and prosperity and that of the People and the government of the People's Republic of China.

Mr. Xu Jun, replaces Ambassador Chen Yong-chen who has been PRC's Ambassador to the FSM since 1994. He presented his credentials to President Bailey Olter, Febuary 22, 1994. The first Ambassador of the people and government of the People's Republic of China to the FSM was Li Qinping who presented his credentials to President Bailey Olter on June 27, 1991.

Born, December 1941 in Hunan Province in the People's Republic of China, Ambassador Xu Jun was the Counsellor, Department of American and Oceanian Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 1995 until he was designated Ambassador to the FSM; First Secretary, Counsellor, Chinese Embassy in Canada 1992-95; Consul, Consulate-General in Sydney, 1987-92; Attache', Third Secretary, Chinese Embassy in the Republic of Surinam, 1981-83; Chinese Secretary, Beijing Diplomatic Personnel Services Bureau, 1971-81; Official, News Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 1968-71; and Official Courier Team of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of PRC, 1967-68. He is married and has a son and a daughter.