FSM Embassy Celebrates 23rd National Day and 20th Anniversary of Relations with the People's Republic of China

Government of the Federated States of Micronesia

FSM Embassy Celebrates 23^rd National Day and 20^th Anniversary of Relations with the People's Republic of China

Palikir, Pohnpei (FSM Information Services): November 6, 2009 - November 6, 2009 (FSM Embassy-Beijing) The Embassy of the Federated States of Micronesia celebrated the 23^rd FSM National Day and the 20^th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations with the People's Republic of China in Beijing on 06 November 2009. The function was hosted by Charge d'Affaires Carl D. Apis and his wife Naily Apis and was well attended by more than 300 diplomats, private sector representatives and friends of the FSM in China. Due to the importance that FSM Government attaches to its relations with China, the President dispatched his Vice President, the honorable Alik L. Alik to head the FSM Delegation to attend the function. Members of the delegation were the Honorable FSM Congressional Senator Joseph J. Urusemal, Secretary Peter M. Christian, Lt. Governor Churchill P. Edward, Pohnpei State Legislative Senator Aurelio P. Joab, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Asian Affairs Brendy Carl, Special Assistant to the President for Public Information Patrick Blank and Fisheries Advisor James Movick.

FSM National Day is a celebration of the historical day that the FSM Government achieved independence when the US Government terminated its administration of Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei and Yap under the United National Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. Vice President Alik described National Day in his statement as an occasion that "we celebrate this great achievement and we pay tribute to our founding fathers for their pioneering work in the formative stage of our nation. We also extend our appreciation to our development partners for their continued assistance towards our nation building efforts and seek their continued support during these challenging times."

With respect to the 20^th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations with the People's Republic of China, the Vice President stated that he was proud that after twenty years, "we continue to proactively engage each other to enhance what our two sides have come accustomed to call the "FSM-China Model relationship." We are truly grateful to the Chinese Government and its people for the continued support towards our development efforts."

The festive occasion provided many foreign embassy representatives, interested investors and other friends to learn about the diverse culture of the FSM. FSM students based in Wuhan and Beijing performed traditional dances to show the audience a brief glimpse of what the FSM's tourism industry has to offer.

In addition, the Embassy circulated a special issue of the Lookwe Magazine (http://www.lookwe.com/enhudongInfo.asp?id=266) which focused on the tourism and foreign investment opportunities in the FSM by devoting a chapter to each state. Sixty thousand copies were issued in China in honor of the occasion. To demonstrate a taste of exotic FSM island food, the Embassy also secured, with the assistance of Tan Holdings Corporation, fresh tuna fish from Micronesia which was served as sashimi during the reception. Each guest left the function with a copy of the Lookwe Magazine and a specially distributed bottle of Chinese wine from Gui Zhou Dong Liquor Co., Ltd Dong Liquor which was labeled "In Commemoration of the 20^th Anniversary of FSM-China Diplomatic Relations 1989 - 2009."