Nauruan President David Adeang said that the shared ancestral roots discovered during his journey in China this month serve as a natural bridge that bolsters the ties between the two countries.
Adeang embarked on a four-day journey with his family in Jiangmen, south China's Guangdong Province, on July 6 to trace his ancestral roots in the country.
During an interview with China Media Group (CMG) while in Jiangmen, Adeang described this journey as deeply meaningful. He expressed heartfelt gratitude to President Xi Jinping for making his trip possible.
"Well, when I met President Xi Jinping last year in Beijing on the resumption of our diplomatic relations, I asked him a small personal favor, and that was to reconnect me with my ancestral roots here in China. So, I am here as this guest and I wouldn't be here without his assistance and support. President Xi Jinping made very big decisions, assigning all of this government to work as quickly and as efficiently as possible to make this day happen. I'm thankful, very grateful to President Xi Jinping for making this possible," Adeang said.
Upon verification by relevant authorities, it has been confirmed that Adeang's great-grandfather's ancestral home is the ancient Chikan town of Jiangmen. More than a century ago, Adeang's ancestors journeyed to Southeast Asia to seek livelihood before eventually settling in Nauru.
During his visit to Chikan, Adeang and his family took part in a traditional ancestral worship ceremony, honoring the customs of their ancestral home. Additionally, he planted a banyan tree -- a symbol of family prosperity -- and received a handful of soil from his ancestral roots.
"It is important to know our past, to know why we are, where we are, and then it will serve as a guide for our future. And because Nauru and China now enjoy healthy diplomatic relations, it is a wonderful bridge for our two countries to have between them. I think it is a unique honor and a unique privilege for head of state of Nauru to have this wonderful connection with these wonderful people of Chikan Village here in China," Adeang said.
Nauruan president lauds ancestral ties in China as bridge strengthening bilateral ties
Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Saturday China is willing to work with Lesotho to strengthen exchanges on governance experience, enhance coordination in multilateral affairs, and advance the China-Lesotho strategic partnership.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when meeting with Lesotho Prime Minister Sam Matekane in the capital of Lesotho.
During the meeting, Wang congratulated Lesotho on the 60th anniversary of its independence this year, and spoke highly of Lesotho government's efforts to prioritize economic development and steer the African country onto a path of sustainable growth. Since the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in 2024, the two sides have advanced cooperation under the 10 partnership action plans unveiled at the summit, successfully implementing a number of key projects to effectively promote Lesotho's development and revitalization, Wang said.
China stands ready to work with Lesotho to strengthen exchanges on governance experience, enhance coordination in multilateral affairs, and push for greater development of the China-Lesotho strategic partnership, he added.
Calling on the two sides to firmly support each other, Wang said that China will accelerate the implementation of its zero-tariff policy for African countries, including Lesotho, expand bilateral trade, investment and industrial cooperation, facilitate broader access of Lesotho's specialty products to the Chinese market, and continue to support Lesotho's national development.
China will continue to stand firmly with African countries, uphold justice for the Global South, including Lesotho, oppose unilateralism and acts of bullying, and work together to build a community with a shared future for humanity, Wang said.
On his part, Matekane said during the meeting that Lesotho cherishes its friendship with China and the strategic partnership between the two countries, and expressed gratitude for China's valuable support for the development of African countries, including Lesotho.
Lesotho firmly adheres to the one-China principle and resolutely supports China in safeguarding its core interests, he said, noting that his country stands ready to strengthen strategic mutual trust with China, expand people-to-people exchanges, jointly implement the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit, and deepen cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, manufacturing and energy.
Matekane stressed that China's zero-tariff policy for African products will inject new impetus into Lesotho's development. He also expressed Lesotho's willingness to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with China on multilateral platforms such as BRICS to jointly address global challenges.
On the same day, Wang also held talks with Lejone Mpotjoana, minister of foreign affairs and international relations of Lesotho.
China, Lesotho to strengthen exchanges, advance cooperation
China, Lesotho to strengthen exchanges, advance cooperation
