Chinese Government provides $1.7 million grant — via ETCA — for FSM Leaders Official Residences Project (Linked to Record ID#42043, #61331)

On March 23, 2004, the Chinese Government and the Government of the Federated States of Micronesia signed an Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement (ETCA), which committed RMB 40 million (about $4.84 million in 2004 USD) of grant funding (captured via Record ID#61331) for multiple projects.

After the ETCA was signed, a Micronesian official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs proposed to use those funds to support three projects: the construction of the facilities for the Tuna Commission; the construction of the four official residences of the President, Vice President, Speaker and Chief Justice; and the renovation of a terminal at Chuuk International Airport..

Then, in August 2004, the two parties agreed to follow through with that proposal and allocate approximately $1.7 million of the grant proceeds from the ETCA for the FSM Leaders Official Residences Project.

The purpose of this project was to construct the four official residences of the President, Vice President, Speaker and Chief Justice in the capital city of Palikir. Jiangsu Provincial Construction Group Co., Ltd. was the contractor responsible for implementation. Works lasted for about six months but the construction start and end dates are unknown.

The official handover ceremony took place on September 13, 2006.

Chinese Ambassador Yang Qiangli presented the Foreign Affairs Secretary Sebastian Anefal with the ceremonial keys to the new official residences. Witnesses to the handover of the residences included: President Joseph J. Urusemal, Vice President Redley Killion, FSM Chief Justice Andon L. Amaraich and members of the FSM Economic Planning and Implementation Council (EPIC) who were meeting Palikir.

The Chinese Government later furnished all four residences (as captured via Record ID#42043).