On December 1, a 21-member delegation from Nauru, comprising representatives from the Nauru Media Bureau, the Nauru China Friendship Association, Nauru Television, Nauru Radio, and MKO Newspaper, toured Jiangmen City, Guangdong Province. The visit underscored the bond between one of the world’s smallest island nations and Jiangmen City, which is the ancestral hometown of many Nauruan Chinese.
Nauru, located in the central Pacific, has a population of approximately 13,000, with around 1,000 being of Chinese descent. Kaelyn Dekarube, Secretary for Media, expressed her admiration for the vibrant Chinese community in Nauru, many of whom run restaurants and small businesses across the island. “They are very interactive with the community. They’re welcoming and nice people,” she said, adding that visiting Jiangmen felt magical. “We talk to them every day, and many encouraged us to see China. Now that we’re here, we can return and share our experiences of visiting their hometown.”
Annie Malupo, President of the Nauru China Friendship Association, reflected on the Chinese community’s significant contributions to Nauru’s development. “The Chinese in Nauru are our friends, and I grew up with them,” she shared, recounting how she would often join a Chinese family for meals in her childhood. “They are just like our family, and they’ve taught us a lot about trade and business.”
During the visit, the delegation explored Kaiping, a county under Jiangmen’s administration， renowned for its historical watchtowers and cultural heritage. Malupo described the experience as inspiring, highlighting how understanding the roots of the Nauruan Chinese community provided insights into their drive to build a better future for their families.
The visit served as a bridge to strengthen cultural and economic ties, with both sides expressing a commitment to deepening mutual understanding and cooperation. It’s believed that the delegation will return to Nauru with a renewed appreciation for the Chinese heritage that has influenced their island nation’s diverse and dynamic community.