Chinese Vice President Han Zheng Meets Kiribati President in New York

Chinese Vice President Han Zheng met with Kiribati President Taneti Maamau in New York during the United Nations General Assembly on September 25. Conveying greetings from President Xi Jinping, Han highlighted the rapid progress in bilateral ties since the resumption of diplomatic relations in 2019. Maamau reaffirmed Kiribati's adherence to the one-China policy and expressed readiness to deepen mutual communication and practical cooperation. The meeting underscores Beijing's ongoing diplomatic outreach to Pacific Island nations within multilateral forums.

The high-level engagement reflects China's sustained efforts to consolidate bilateral partnerships across the Pacific Islands on multilateral stages. Kiribati's explicit reaffirmation of the one-China policy demonstrates the enduring political alignment established since ties resumed in 2019, while signaling continued momentum for practical economic and development cooperation.

Chinese Vice President Han Zheng met with Kiribati President Taneti Maamau on September 25 in New York while attending the United Nations General Assembly, according to a report by Xinhua published via People's Daily. During the meeting, Han conveyed cordial greetings and best wishes from Chinese President Xi Jinping to Maamau. Han stated that since the resumption of diplomatic ties between China and Kiribati in 2019, bilateral relations have achieved rapid development under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state. He noted that political mutual trust has continued to deepen, practical cooperation has produced fruitful outcomes, and people-to-people exchanges have consistently broadened. Han emphasized that facts have proven the restoration of diplomatic relations serves the fundamental and long-term interests of the people of both nations. He remarked that Beijing attaches high importance to its relationship with Kiribati and remains willing to work alongside Tarawa to further consolidate the political foundation of their ties, expand pragmatic cooperation across various sectors, enhance coordination and collaboration in multilateral affairs, and push bilateral relations toward new milestones. In response, Maamau asked Han to convey his warm greetings to President Xi and the Chinese people. The Kiribati president noted that relations between the two countries are firmly anchored in mutual respect and mutual understanding, having advanced continuously since the reestablishment of bilateral relations. Maamau reiterated that Kiribati firmly adheres to the one-China policy. He expressed anticipation for working with China to further consolidate the positive trajectory of their bilateral relationship, strengthen high-level communication and dialogue, and achieve additional tangible cooperation outcomes to contribute to mutual prosperity and citizen well-being.