Palikir, Pohnpei, FSM-President Manny Mori administered the oath of office to Akillino Susaia in a ceremony held in the President's conference room at 4:00 Friday, March 26, 2010. Susaia was confi rmed by the FSM Congress on February 13, 2010 to be the FSM's first Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Government of the People's Republic of China.
Susaia's wife, Mihpel stood with Akillino as the oath was administered.
Susaia had been serving as the Consul General of the FSM in Hawaii where he served since April 3, 2008. Previous to that appointment Susaia had also served as the FSM Secretary of Transportation Communication & Infrastructure, and also as the FSM Secretary of Resources and Development.
Mr. Carl Apis has been serving as the Minister and Charge d'Affaires to the FSM Embassy Beijing. Mr. Vincent Sivas has been serving in Beijing as the First Secretary.
The ceremony was attended by Vice President Alik and members of the President's Cabinet, along with friends and family members of the Susaia's.
The family held a reception at the Cliff Rainbow hotel later in the evening. The Susaia's are scheduled to leave Pohnpei for China on April 3, 2010.