SYDNEY — Kiribati President Taneti Maamau said in Tarawa on Thursday that his country firmly adheres to the one-China policy, expressing the hope that both sides will work together to further advance bilateral relations.

While receiving the credentials presented by Yao Fei, the newly appointed Chinese ambassador to Kiribati, in the capital, Maamau also thanked China for its selfless assistance to Kiribati.

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Yao said that he is ready to work hand in hand with the Kiribati government and friends from all sectors of society to fully implement the important consensus reached by the heads of state of the two countries, continuously deepen China-Kiribati friendly cooperation and better benefit the peoples of both countries.

Yao assumed his position in Kiribati on Oct 16.