Restoration of China-Kiribati diplomatic ties significant: Chinese FM

The restoration of diplomatic ties between the governments of China and Kiribati is of unusual and special significance, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Friday.

Wang and Kiribati's President Taneti Mamau signed a communique on restoring diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level between the two countries at the Chinese Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York.

Wang and Mamau, also Kiribati's foreign minister, met with the press after they signed the document.

Wang noted that the government of the Republic of Kiribati in the communique affirmed that there is only one China in the world, the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legitimate government representing the whole of China, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory.

The formal resumption of diplomatic ties between China and Kiribati has two unusual and special meanings, Wang said.

One is that the UN General Assembly 48 years ago, by an overwhelming majority, adopted the famous Resolution 2758 and restored the lawful rights of the People's Republic of China in the United Nations, and recognized the representatives of the government of the People's Republic of China as the only lawful representatives of China to the United Nations.

"Today, 48 years later, the restoring of diplomatic relations between China and Kiribati has once again proved by facts that adherence to the one-China principle is the popular sentiment and the general trend that no one can change or contravene," Wang added.

Another meaning is that, he said, the People's Republic of China will celebrate its 70th anniversary of founding in three days. The formal resumption of diplomatic relations between the two countries will undoubtedly add glory to this important historical moment.

Wang said China is willing to provide assistance to Kiribati in achieving independent and sustainable development in accordance with the principles of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit.

"We are also willing to strengthen communication and coordination with Kiribati in regional and international affairs and jointly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries," Wang said.