Xinhua News Agency, Aaron, March 25th
Special Article｜From Juncao cultivation to photovoltaic power generation, feel the "mountain and sea love" with China in Nauru
Xinhua News Agency reporter Liang Youchang and Chen Guolong
Nauru is located about 42 kilometers south of the equator and is known as the "Paradise Island" in the Pacific Ocean. However, the natural conditions here are not suitable for crop cultivation, and agricultural products such as vegetables and fruits rely heavily on imports. China's Juncao technology is expected to change this situation soon.
This spring, Nauru’s Environmental Management and Agriculture Ministry official Hess-Tekke Foilepp became the first Nauruan student to attend a Juncao technology training class in a Pacific island country. Professor Lin Zhanxi, the inventor of Juncao technology who is over 80 years old, traveled across the ocean to personally teach students and answer their questions, so that China's "happy grass" can benefit the people of Pacific island countries.
Since the resumption of diplomatic relations between China and Nauia in January this year, the people of the two countries are working together to write a new chapter of friendship.
On March 25, President Xi Jinping held talks with President Ardion of Nauru, who was in China for a state visit. Xi Jinping said that China is willing to work with Nauia to create a bright future for China-Nauia relations and better benefit the two peoples. Adion looks forward to learning from China's experience and developing a fruitful and mutually beneficial partnership.
The two heads of state jointly witnessed the signing of a number of bilateral cooperation documents in the fields of jointly building the "Belt and Road", implementing global development initiatives, economic development, and agriculture.
"Happiness Grass" spans mountains and seas
In late February, Fuilepp participated in a one-week training course on Juncao technology in the Pacific island country of Fiji. From studying theory to visiting the Juncao technology demonstration base, from practicing underforest cultivation of Juncao mushrooms and harvesting mushrooms to understanding sustainable development strategies, the training was comprehensive and practical, which made him feel very rewarding.
Professor Lin Zhanxi, chief scientist of the National Juncao Engineering Technology Research Center, went to Fiji and held a special lecture for the students. Juncao technology has achieved simplification and standardization. Juncao specialty industry can be said to be "able for thousands of households to participate and develop", with low investment, quick results, high economic benefits, and good ecological benefits. The purpose of this training is to further promote the widespread application of Juncao technology in Pacific island countries and help poverty reduction and sustainable agricultural development in more developing countries.
While working in Fujian, Xi Jinping vigorously supported the development of Juncao scientific research, promoted Juncao technology to play an active role in counterpart assistance to Ningxia, and promoted the Juncao technical assistance project to land in Papua New Guinea, opening up international cooperation on Juncao technology. the prologue. Today, Juncao has taken root in more than 100 countries and regions, and is affectionately called "Chinese grass" and "Happy grass" by people in many countries.
In order to better promote Juncao technology in Nauru, Fuilepp is preparing training programs and pilot projects to attract more local farmers to participate. He said: "I believe that the introduction of Juncao technology will have many benefits for my country. It can enhance food security, improve the ability to cope with climate change, and enhance economic vitality through the development of new industries."
Eo, Secretary-General of Nauru's Department of Multicultural Affairs, believes that cooperation with China will bring more experience in poverty reduction and economic growth to Nauru and other Pacific island countries, which is "conducive to the common development of Pacific island countries and the entire region."
Infrastructure construction is accelerated
Under the sunlight, rows of blue photovoltaic panels are neatly arranged on the coast of Nauru, contrasting with the blue sea not far away.
This is the first photovoltaic power generation and energy storage system project undertaken by a Chinese-funded enterprise in Nauru, and it is also the largest photovoltaic power generation project in Nauru to date. The project is expected to be assembled and completed in the second half of this year. After being officially connected to the grid for power generation, it will meet the power needs of the entire island country.
Nearly a hundred local employees in Nauru participated in the project construction. 29-year-old John Scott told reporters that Nauru currently mainly relies on diesel to generate electricity, which is costly and polluting. However, the sunshine time here is long, which is very suitable for solar power generation. He believes that this project will not only improve the local power supply, but also benefit environmental protection. .
In the southwest of Nauru Island, a modern terminal is beginning to take shape. Amid the roar of crane operations, workers wearing safety helmets and work clothes are busy.
This is an upgrading and reconstruction project of the Aivo Port Terminal undertaken by a Chinese-funded enterprise. The project started in 2019 and has completed most of the construction tasks. This modern terminal brings advanced technology and employment opportunities to the local area, allowing this Pacific island country to connect with the world more efficiently.
"The old wharf was too small, and container ships could not dock directly, and only one ship could arrive every two months. Now, not only can the new wharf be docked directly, but one ship can arrive every month or even 20 days." China Harbor Nauru Aiwo Port Terminal Project Zhu Wei, deputy manager of the department, said. In the five years since he has been based in Nauru, he has witnessed the project step by step from blueprint to reality.
On September 3, 2022, the Ewo Port Terminal project was successfully opened and operated. The method of Nauru's import and export goods being transferred by sea transfer has become a thing of the past, and container ships can directly dock at the port to transfer goods. On that day, many Nauruan people excitedly poured into the pier to take photos.
On February 7 this year, all pouring of the main approach road for this project was completed. After the road is opened to traffic, the transportation system will be further optimized and the surrounding economic development will be promoted. Zhu Wei said that China is accelerating the completion of project construction and striving to benefit the people of Nauru as soon as possible.
Two months ago, Nauru's Foreign Minister Angamin witnessed the historic moment of the resumption of diplomatic relations between the two countries in Beijing. He said that in the past few decades, China has achieved unprecedented development, became partners with many countries, provided strong support for global development, and its international influence has continued to expand. "The resumption of diplomatic relations between Nau and China will surely make the trickle of friendship between the two countries continue to converge into a vast ocean."
"Towards a prosperous and harmonious future"
On January 29, 2024, the Chinese Embassy in Nauru held a reopening ceremony. After 19 years, the five-star red flag was raised again in Nauru, marking that China-Nauru relations have entered the fast lane.
This five-star red flag was brought back to Nauru by an employee of a Chinese company. As soon as he recalled this incident, Deng Yu felt very excited. On his way back to Nauru from China in late January, he put the national flag in his personal backpack and kept it with him while sleeping. In three days and two nights, spanning more than 12,000 kilometers, he brought the national flag to Nauru. "When I see this flag, I feel that we are very close to the motherland." Deng Yu told reporters.
In his work and life in Nauru, Deng Yu felt that the people of China and Nauru were close to each other. In this Pacific island country with a population of 13,000, Chinese elements can be seen everywhere in the lives of local people. In Chinese restaurants, it is common to see some adults and children who are proficient in using chopsticks.
During the interview, the reporter felt the enthusiasm and friendliness of the Nauruan people towards China. The first words a Nauruan friend said when they met for the first time were "I've been looking forward to it for a long time". Many people in Nauru have expressed their expectation to take the resumption of diplomatic relations between the two countries as an opportunity to develop local tourism, attract more Chinese tourists, and enhance understanding and friendship between the two peoples.
In the New Year of the Year of the Dragon, President Adion sent Spring Festival blessings to President Xi Jinping and the Chinese people by recording a video, "May the spirit of the dragon lead Nauzhong to a prosperous and harmonious future."
On the first day of the Lunar New Year, the Spring Festival reception held by the Chinese Embassy in Nauru was full of guests and friends. Angamin shared his experience of his visit to China with everyone, and once again emphasized that Nauru is "standing on the right side of history" in resuming diplomatic relations with China, and hoped that the relations between the two countries would continue to develop and create a better future together.
Wang Xuguang, counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Nauru, truly felt that the people of Nauru are full of expectations for the development of relations between the two countries. Wang Xuguang believes that the Pacific Ocean connects China and Nauru. The two countries have a lot in common. They are both developing countries and members of the "Global South" and both face development tasks. At the same time, the two countries have complementary advantages in minerals, fisheries, new energy and response. There is potential for cooperation in areas such as climate change.
Friendship is in no particular order, as long as it is started, there will be a bright future. No matter how big or small the cooperation is, as long as it is sincere, it will yield fruitful results. (Participating reporters: Guo Xinhui, Han Liang)