Traditional leaders of Pohnpei, leaders of the national and state government, senators of the Congress of the FSM, members of the state legislature and the diplomatic corps in the FSM as well as about 2,000 people attended the ceremony.
On behalf of the Chinese government, Ambassador Zhang Weidong turned a symbolic key to FSM President Manny Mori who then passed it down to Pohnpei Gov. John Esha, symbolizing the handing over of the ownership of the new administration building from China to the FSM.
Zhang expressed his appreciation to the national, state government, local workers and Chinese technicians for their cooperation and hard work in completing “this marvelous building.”
He briefly elaborated China’s policies on economic assistance to the FSM and the Pacific island countries.
He said the good cooperation between China and the FSM has brought tangible benefits to the peoples of both countries.
He conveyed warm greetings and best wishes from the Chinese government and people to the government and people of the FSM.
Mori thanked the generous help from Chinese government to the FSM ever since the establishment of the diplomatic relations in 1989.
FSM will work closely with China to further enhance the friendly relations between the two countries, Mori said.
In his statement, Esha acknowledged that “in the 20 years of our friendly relations, the state of Pohnpei and its people had benefited extensively from the kind aid from China.”
Pohnpei, he added, will adhere to the one China policy adopted by the national government and will try its best to appropriately operate, use and maintain the new building for the future generations and work hard for the interests of the people of the state.
