Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday called for efforts to deepen China-Micronesia traditional friendship and push the bilateral ties to a higher level.
Xi made the remarks while holding talks with visiting President of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) Wesley W. Simina in Beijing on Tuesday afternoon.
"It is a great pleasure to meet you, President Simina. You are an old friend of the Chinese people and have played an important role in promoting China-Micronesia relations for a long time. This year marks the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Micronesia. Our two countries have always treated each other with mutual respect and equality, and our friendly and mutually beneficial cooperation has improved the well-being of the people of our two countries. I'm willing to work with you to take the 35th anniversary as a new starting point, deepen traditional friendship, strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation, and push bilateral relations to a higher level," said Xi.
Simina hailed the development of bilateral ties, saying he is ready to further strengthen Micronesia's relations with China.
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank you, President Xi. I also would like to acknowledge the milestones achievements of the FSM-China diplomatic relations since the establishment of our diplomatic relations 35 years ago that are based on the five principles of peaceful coexistence, and I stand ready to further deepen the FSM-China comprehensive strategic partnership. I extend my congratulations to you, President Xi, and I also congratulate China on the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the People's Republic of China and all its great achievements," said Simina.
Before the talks, Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan held a welcome ceremony for Simina and his wife at the Great Hall of the People.
A welcome banquet was held for the visiting couple on Tuesday evening.
Simina is on a state visit to China from April 5 to 12 at the invitation of Xi.
Before his arrival in Beijing on Monday, Simina visited cities in south and east China, including Dongguan, Shenzhen and Yantai.
Xi holds talks with Micronesian president, calling for deepening traditional friendship
The year 2024 celebrates the 60th anniversary of China-France diplomatic ties, and it also heralds the China-France Year of Cultural Tourism, a celebration aimed at bolstering cultural and people-to-people exchanges through a series of enriching events.
During a special episode focused on this milestone, cultural experts and influencers from both nations shared insights into the depth of Sino-French cultural interactions.
The discussion, livestreamed from Shanghai on April 22, began with a historical overview, notably when then-Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai introduced President Georges Pompidou to the Yungang Grottoes, a renowned Buddhist cave site in north China's Shanxi. These caves feature intricate carvings that reflect religious and cultural syntheses from the 5th and 6th centuries.
David Gosset, founder of the China-Europe-America Global Initiative, commented on the geopolitical context of the initial outreach.
"People have to remember that we were in the middle of the Cold War, therefore, the world was divided. For a Western country like France to reach out to China, and of course vice versa, it's a beautiful moment, historical diplomatic breakthroughs, means that despite all the geopolitical difficulties, a spirit of cooperation and friendship can prevail," said Gosset.
Xie Dingwei, executive director of the Bund One Art Museum, emphasized the importance of preserving cultural heritage.
"We need to preserve these cultural heritages. We not [just] preserve the sculptures or the buildings itself, but also, it gives us a chance to see hundreds of years ago, how our craftsmanship, our architecture, our human beings, we have reached [such] high levels, which brings us to the present time these treasures, these values. This is something we really cannot afford to lose. Culture is a common language; it doesn't matter you're Eastern art or Western art, somehow they can be connected. So this is something I think it creates a communication channel between the nations," said Xie.
The cultural connection was recently demonstrated during a meeting last April between French President Emmanuel Macron and Chinese President Xi Jinping, where they enjoyed the performance of "Flowing Water" played on the Guqin by a Chinese artist, symbolizing the flowing friendship between the two nations.
"This communication on art subjects between the nations and different peoples are really, really important. It goes beyond politics, beyond the differences between the nations. But you all go to getting closer to understanding each other," said Xie.
Gosset also supported the notion of fostering unity through cultural platforms, aligning with President Xi Jinping's idea of building a community with a shared future.
"I am completely aligned with this idea. We are on the same boat. Our world is frightened by too many divisions. And I think, what is important is to support the forces that can unite us, so it can be music, and certainly museums, and you need leaders with a vision that does not separate us," said Gosset.
Six decades of China-France diplomatic relations highlighted by cultural exchange
