Nauru's President David Adeang praised China's environmental protection achievements and rapid modernization during his recent trip to China, pledging to deepen bilateral cooperation.
The trip marked his return to his ancestral hometown of Jiangmen in Guangdong Province, where he honored his family heritage and highlighted the growing people-to-people ties between the Pacific island nation and China.
The five-day homecoming visit, which started on Sunday, was his second trip to the southern Chinese city in just seven months.
Adeang and his family were warmly welcomed in Jiangmen as they traced their ancestral roots. His great-grandfather's former residence still stands in the ancient town of Chikan, where, more than a century ago, his forefathers left for Southeast Asia in search of a livelihood before eventually settling in Nauru.
While touring picturesque Jiangmen, Adeang praised China’s commitment to environmental protection, highlighting a side of the country that contrasts with its bustling urban landscapes.
"This is a different side of Jiangmen I didn't see before. Because when we come and visit China, it's the big cities, it's the big lights and the factories. They've been looking after this area for generations, for hundreds of years. Quite illuminating to see people care so much for their environments. To care for environment means that you also care for the future generations," he said.
Expressing confidence in the promising prospects for bilateral cooperation, Adeang said his government is considering introducing Chinese language classes into Nauru's education system.
"The world is going that way or you get left behind. We don't want to get left behind. That's why we are in this relationship. This is where the world is going," he said
While in Jiangmen, Adeang visited a local solar panel factory to explore ways to make full use of Nauru's abundant sunlight.
The president thanked China for installing solar-powered streetlights in Nauru and for providing lettuce seedlings from Jiangmen -- the first ever grown in his country.
"If you came to Nauru, you'll see that most of Nauru now is lit up, because of the solar lights from Jiangmen. I'm very proud, very proud. Every time I go on the road to see these streetlights from my ancestral homeland lighting up Nauru. I planted the first lettuce in the hydroponics, first time we've grown lettuce in Nauru," he said.
Adeang said he wanted to learn more about Jiangmen, adding that he was emotionally moved to visit the city where his family roots trace back generations.
"I just want to get to know Jiangmen more, but maybe it will require more and more visits. Many generations ago, my family came from here and that's what makes it even more -- I guess -- moving for me. I regret that my mother's not here and that's why it's also quite moving for me. But I know somewhere she's looking down and she feels happy that I remember her well enough to look for our roots here," he said.
Nauru's president vows to strengthen ties with China during visit to ancestral hometown
