Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Good evening! I am so delighted to see many friends, old and new, joining me at this reception. It is a real pleasure to have you all here at the Chinese Embassy. I am greatly honored by your presence this evening.

As you know, the recently occurred riots in Honiara, capital of the Solomon Islands, seriously affected the Chinese community there. A great number of Chinese nationals owned shops, stores, business establishments and residence buildings were looted and burned down. Their lives were gravely imperiled. The Chinese Government and people were greatly concerned about their safety and security.

While the Chinese Government took all necessary measures to provide any possible help and assistance to the Chinese community in Honiara when they were at a time of danger and adversity, the Government and people of Papua New Guinea timely lent them a helping hand. Prime Minister Somare was personally concerned about the safety of the Chinese nationals, and instructed to set up a special working group to assist the Chinese Government in evacuating them out of Honiara. Within a very short period of time, the Government of Papua New Guinea consented to China's arrangement to settle a large group of evacuees in Port Moresby temporarily. At the same time, the relevant departments provided timely assistance in facilitating the entry and exit clearance for the evacuees and the Chinese Government's charter plane to pick them up in Port Moresby.

Now, I wish to inform you with relief that, thanks to the generous support and assistance of the Government and people of Papua New Guinea, more than 300 Chinese were flown away from Port Moresby at in the evening on April 24th and arrived in Guangzhou, China safe and sound in the early morning of April 25th by the Chinese Government's charter flight.

On behalf of the Chinese Government and people, and my whole staff at the Chinese Embassy as well as the evacuees, I wish to express our deep appreciation and heartfelt thanks to each and everyone of you present tonight for everything that you have done to ensure our success of swift and smooth operation of the evacuation. My special thanks should go to the Department of Prime Minister & NEC, Department of Foreign Affairs & Immigration, Civil Aviation Authority and Air Niugini and other departments concerned.

Ladies and Gentlemen, a friend in need is a friend indeed. The assistance that the Government of Papua New Guinea rendered to China is a clear manifestation of the friendly sentiments of the Government and people of Papua New Guinea towards the Chinese people. Unite we stand. It is my sincere hope that we will work together even more closely to further promote the bilateral relations and friendship between our two countries and two peoples.

Once again, thank you very much for your generous assistance and your kind presence, and wish all of you a pleasant and enjoyable evening.

Thank you.