Alik L. Alik, Vice President of the Federated States of Micronesia delivers the opening speech at the reception to mark 23rd National Day of the FSM and the 20th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations with the People's Republic of China on Friday, November 6, 2009. [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com]

A reception party was held at Kempinski Hotel in Beijing on Friday night to mark the 23rd National Day of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and the 20th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations with the People's Republic of China.

During the opening speech, Alik L. Alik, Vice President of FSM, thanked international partners and friends for being supportive of the accomplishments of Micronesia and emphasized the nation will continue enhancing its friendship with China.

Moreover, his Excellency also extended his invitation to Chinese tourists to visit Micronesia, an island country studded in the western Pacific Ocean like a shining pearl.

"We have clean air, green environment, and I recommend people visit our country," the Vice President said in an exclusive interview with CRI.

He also revealed that Micronesia will give priority to promoting tourism during the upcoming Shanghai World Expo.

The FSM consists of 607 islands grouped into four states: Kosrae, Pohnpei, Chuuk and Yap. The four islands are dubbed the "corners of the Paradise".

Carlson D. Apis, Minister of the Embassy of FSM, who comes from the Pohnpei state, said each of the four states has their own distinguishing features.

"Yap is our most traditional state, you will see people still walk around in their traditional attire. You see a good mix of tradition and modernization as well; and then the state of Pohnpei where I am from, we have the ruins of Nan Madol, which was the ancient capital of Micronesia, our version of the Forbidden City. While Kosrae is famous for its environment, they also have a ruin that is similar to Nan Madol, and Chuuk state is our largest State and they have a beautiful lagoon, great diving and there are sunk vessels from the War that are still there preserved in the water," the minister gushed.

The next big cultural event coming up on March 1st, which lasts for one whole week, is a celebration of Yap culture. It is referred to as "Yap Day", he added.

Corky Stinnett, a 22-year-old student from Chuuk Island also has a lot to share as where to have fun in her home country.

"Micronesia is really a beautiful country, if you want go to where it's tropical, where there's beaches or good shopping, you can go there. It's like summer all year round and never gets cold, there's a lot of things you can do there, and the islanders are all nice people too, very welcoming," the girl illustrated.

She is studying at the Maritime University in northeastern China's Dalian. This is the third year she's been in China. She and her friends took a 13-hour train journey from Dalian to Beijing just to be part of this celebration.

Also attending the ceremony was Mr. Zheng Zeguang, Director-General of the North American and Oceanian Affairs Department of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who expressed congratulations on the National Day of Micronesia and the bilateral relations the two countries have accomplished.