Hon. Lionel Aingimea, Minister for Foreign Affairs & Trade,

Hon Cabinet Ministers, Deputy Ministers and Members of Parliament,

Your Excellency Mathew Barclay, High Commissioner of Australia,

Distinguished guests,

Representatives of the Chinese community,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good evening! Mojemera. 晚上好！

Thank you all for joining us to celebrate two significant occasions: the first anniversary of the resumption of diplomatic ties between China and Nauru, and the Chinese New Year, the most cherished traditional festival for Chinese, which was just inscribed by UNESCO as the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. On behalf of the Chinese Embassy in Nauru, I extend my heartfelt New Year’s greetings to all our distinguished guests, as well as to all Chinese people and personnel of Chinese enterprises here in Nauru!

I would like to express my deepest gratitude to everyone for your invaluable contributions over the past year to the growth of China-Nauru relations and for the tremendous support you have shown to the Embassy. Thank you!

On this day last year，Foreign Minister Wang Yi signed the Joint Communiqué with Foreign Minister Aingimea on the Resumption of Diplomatic Relations between China and Nauru, declaring to the world the historical step based on the one-China principle. Over the past year, under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and President Adeang, the relationship between China and Nauru has transcended geographical distance and cultural difference, forging a bright path of genuine friendship and mutual support. Together, we have set a shining example of equality and cooperation between nations, regardless of their size.

This past year has been a remarkable journey of partnership and shared progress. Nauru has spoken out on multiple occasions to reaffirm its adherence to the one-China principle and its support for China’s efforts toward reunification. This unwavering stance has further consolidated the foundation of mutual trust and friendship between our two nations.

High-level exchanges have been frequent and meaningful, within which President Adeang, Speaker Stephen, Minister Aingimea, and all cabinet members and deputy ministers visited China. During their visits, Nauruan leaders had in-depth exchanges with Chinese counterparts, experiencing the richness of Chinese modernization and sharing insights on governance and development strategies.

Throughout the year, China and Nauru have upheld mutual respect, trust, and equality, taking care of each other’s core interests and major concerns, coordinating on important multilateral issues, striving to build an all-weather partnership.

As members of the Global South, both China and Nauru share a common commitment to the pursuit of peace and development. Nauru has been an active participant of the Belt and Road Initiative and has embraced China’s three major global initiatives. On multilateral platforms, Nauru has consistently supported China in upholding international fairness and justice, while contributing to build a community with a shared future for mankind.

This past year has been one of fruitful cooperation and shared development. China and Nauru have leveraged their complementary strengths and achieved win-win results through efficient collaboration in economic and social development. Together, we have walked side by side on the path toward modernization, turning the blueprint laid out by our leaders into reality.

China has become Nauru’s second-largest source of development assistance. China supported Nauru in purchasing the cargo vessel Skyline, ensuring the steady supply of essential goods. I am confident that the days of egg shortage will soon be over. In addition, we coordinated geological experts to assess Nauru’s phosphate reserves, and Chinese companies have showed strong interest in collaboration, with the hope of reigniting this vital engine of economic growth.

The stadium project, a flagship initiative of Chinese assistance to Nauru, is progressing steadily. Both sides are working tirelessly to finalize the plan. Once completed, it will provide our friends in Nauru with world-class sports facilities.

Moreover, two teams of Chinese medical experts have come to Nauru, integrating Chinese and Western medicine to treat both acute and chronic illnesses, earning widespread praise. A series of small but meaningful livelihood projects have also been rolled out, delivering tangible benefits to Nauruan people.

This past year has been one of deepened communication and growing bonds. The exchanges between our two people have been vibrant and extensive, fostering mutual understanding and respect, and interacting as close family.

Education is the cornerstone of a nation’s future. In collaborating with Nauru, we have advanced educational cooperation by signing agreements and expanding opportunities for Nauruan students to study in China through Chinese government scholarships. This will allow more young people from Nauru to experience and learn from China’s rich culture and expertise.

We have also organized dozens of training programs, involving over 200 participants from Nauru, in areas such as climate change adaptation, disaster prevention and mitigation, community policing, language skills, and sports. These programs have fostered capacity building and knowledge exchanging, laying the groundwork for long-term collaboration.

In addition, we hosted a delegation of Nauru media representatives in China, creating platforms for media cooperation. Through their lenses, the people of Nauru have been introduced to a real, multidimensional, and vibrant China.

It is heartening to see some Nauruans already traveling to China on their own for tourism and exploration. To further facilitate this, we are working to introduce measures such as mutual visa exemptions and connecting flights, making it easier and more convenient for Nauruans to visit China.

Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends!

Several weeks ago, I was honored to attend the first birthday celebration of an adorable Nauruan baby. Her parents shared with me that in Nauru, a child’s first birthday holds special significance—it marks their first milestone in life, a celebration of growth, and the beginning of a new chapter. By the second year, the child will learn to walk, talk, sing, with a lot of beautiful things waiting on the way.

Today marks the first birthday of China-Nauru relations. All of you here are witnesses and contributors to this relationship. This milestone is not only a moment to celebrate but also an opportunity to look ahead. We must seize the present and focus on the future, thoughtfully planning the development of China-Nauru relationship to make it even stronger, closer, and more fruitful in the years to come.

Looking ahead, we should continue to build on mutual trust as the cornerstone of our relationship, strengthening the political foundation that underpins our ties. Solid political trust and unwavering mutual support are defining characteristics of the China-Nauru relationship.

China is committed to firmly supporting Nauru in safeguarding its national sovereignty, security, and development interests, as well as in pursuing a suitable path that aligns with its own national conditions. I believe that Nauru will continue to stand on the right side of history, firmly upholding the one-China principle and supporting China's efforts toward national reunification.

Both sides should fully leverage high-level exchanges to guide the direction of our cooperation, maintaining momentum in leadership dialogues and enhancing mutual support on issues related to our core interests. By doing so, we will chart a clear and successful course for the future development of our relations.

Looking ahead, we must focus on deepening practical cooperation. This year marks the conclusion of China’s 14th Five-Year Plan and is also an important election year for Nauru. Both countries are at a critical stage in our national development.

China is committed to working closely with Nauru to promote high-quality, joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative. We will not only accelerate the implementation of large-scale projects such as the stadium, but also ensure the successful realization of agricultural, healthcare, education, and other livelihood projects, creating a new model of China-Nauru cooperation.

China will continue to work alongside Nauru to explore and harness the potential in sectors such as phosphate mining, aviation, fisheries, and tourism. Together, we will enhance Nauru’s capacity of industry, supporting Nauru on its path toward independent and sustainable growth.

Looking ahead, we should vigorously promote exchanges across various fields, deepening the bonds of friendship and connection between our peoples.

For many years, the Chinese community in Nauru has lived and worked in harmony with local people, offering mutual support and contributing to a multitude of friendly stories. We will help to continue this kind of friendship.

This year, we will focus on organizing more activities in education, culture, sports, tourism, media, and youth, engaging Nauruan people in ways that are enjoyable and widely accessible, fostering mutual understanding, cultural integration, and greater connectivity between our peoples. Together, we will pass on the torch of enduring friendship to future generations.

Looking ahead, we should strengthen coordination and cooperation, working together to uphold international fairness and justice. While Nauru is a small nation, it has a big voice on the global stage, and it is a partner that China highly values.  

In the face of a complex and ever-changing international landscape, we must continue to protect the United Nations-centered international system and the international order based on international law. Together, we will advocate for an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization. We will strive to build a community with a shared future for mankind.

Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends!  

As the ancient Chinese saying goes, "With the beginning of the year, all things are renewed." The New Year brings new energy and new possibilities. China-Nauru relations are about to enter a new chapter, and in the journey of developing the ties, each and every one of you plays a vital role. Every contribution is invaluable.  

Let us join hands and move forward together, continuing to raise the sails of friendship and cooperation, and steering the ship of China-Nauru relations toward an even brighter and more prosperous future!

Please allow me to propose a toast,  

To the prosperity of China and Nauru!

To the fruitful cooperation between our two countries!

To the longlasting friendship between our two peoples!

To everyone’s good health and big success!

Happy Chinese New Year!

Thank you all!