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Vice President to Head Delegation to China to Celebrate 20 Years of Diplomatic Relations

Palikir, Pohnpei (FSM Information Services): November 5, 2009 - The FSM Embassy in Beijing is joining the FSM nation in celebrating its National Day by hosting a function in Beijing on November 6^th, 2009 to commemorate both the 23^rd Anniversary of the FSM National Day and the 20^th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between the FSM and China. Vice President Alik L. Alik will travel to Beijing and lead a delegation comprised of Secretary of Resources and Development Hon. Peter Christian, 16^th FSM Congress Chairman Joseph Urusemal, Pohnpei State Lt. Governor Churchill Edward, Pohnpei State Senator Aurelio Joab, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Pacific Affairs Mr. Brendy Carl, Department of R&D Trade Consultant Mr. James Movik, and the FSM Public Information Officer Mr. Patrick Blank, to attend this celebration and to further promote the FSM for foreign investment opportunities to various business communities and organizations in several provinces.

The National Day function will demonstrate to the diplomatic corps, Chinese government officials, foreign investors and friends of the FSM, a glimpse of Micronesian culture and geography. The Department of Foreign Affairs and our Embassy in China will be using the occasion to distribute information on foreign investment and tourism opportunities. President Mori has written a letter to Speaker Figir inviting him and other members of Congress to join in this festive and promotional function. President Mori said in his letter that "For a small country like the FSM, that is not very much known in China and the continental Asia, we need to make greater efforts to promote the FSM."

Carl D. Apis, Minister & Charge d'Affaires, a.i. at the Embassy of the Federated States of Micronesia in China, and his staff are doing most of the preparatory work. They have also organized a group of FSM students who are studying in China, to perform cultural dances at the celebration. The entire event will be videotaped and will be available to local TV stations in each of the four states and parts of it will be posted to the President's website, along with a photo album of the celebration.