China congratulates Taneti Maamau on re-election as Kiribati's president

BEIJING, June 23 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson on Tuesday congratulated incumbent President Taneti Maamau on the re-election as president of Kiribati.

Spokesman Zhao Lijian told a press briefing that the Chinese side believes the government and people of Kiribati will achieve new progress in national development under the leadership of Maamau.

Since diplomatic ties were resumed in September 2019, China and Kiribati have maintained a strong momentum of growth in bilateral relations, realizing fruitful cooperation in various areas and bringing tangible benefits for the two peoples, he said.

"This serves to show that the one-China principle is the overriding trend with popular support," he added.

Zhao said that China attaches high importance to growing relations with Kiribati. "We stand ready to work with Kiribati's government in its new term to deepen exchanges and cooperation, enhance people-to-people friendship, elevate bilateral relations to new heights and bring more benefits to the two peoples."