'Taiwan Defiance'... Xi Jinping Promises Cooperation with Kiribati President

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Sunmi Park] Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Taneti Maamau, President of Kiribati, a small Pacific island nation that severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan last year and established new diplomatic relations with China, promising to strengthen cooperation between the two countries.

According to China’s state-run Xinhua News Agency on the 7th, President Xi held a summit meeting with Kiribati President Taneti Maamau, who is on a state visit to China from the 4th to the 11th, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing the previous day, emphasizing the significance of the diplomatic relations between the two countries.

President Xi stated, "China and Kiribati established new diplomatic relations in September 2019 based on the 'One China' policy, opening a new chapter in bilateral relations," adding, "I highly appreciate the decision of the Kiribati government, including the President, to establish diplomatic ties with China." He continued, "Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the two countries have conducted many exchanges in various fields and at multiple levels, achieving fruitful results," and praised, "President Maamau’s visit to China this time is an important milestone in China-Kiribati relations."

He also emphasized, "China is ready to cooperate with Kiribati to develop bilateral relations to a new level," stressing the need to expand practical cooperation by linking Kiribati’s economic development plans with China’s Belt and Road Initiative. President Xi added, "China will encourage more Chinese companies to invest in Kiribati," and "Kiribati has been approved as a destination for group tourism from China."

In response, President Maamau said that the decision to establish diplomatic relations with China is based on trust in China, stating, "Kiribati firmly adheres to the 'One China' principle and respects China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. We support China’s 'One Country, Two Systems' principle and reunification." He also expressed, "We look forward to enhancing cooperation with China in various fields such as economy, trade, investment, tourism, fisheries, medical care, and education. We express our gratitude for China’s support." On the same day, the two countries signed a cooperation document outlining plans to strengthen collaboration.

The emphasis on the 'One China' and 'One Country, Two Systems' principles during the bilateral summit is interpreted as a move mindful of Taiwan ahead of its presidential election on the 11th. Taiwan’s current President Tsai Ing-wen, who opposes the 'One China' and 'One Country, Two Systems' principles and has taken an anti-China stance, is enjoying high approval ratings ahead of the election.

Kiribati severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan in September last year and immediately signed a diplomatic relations document with China. China has been employing its economic power to pressure Taiwan’s diplomatic allies to establish relations with China, pursuing a strategy to diplomatically isolate Taiwan.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.