Wang: China ready to boost ties with Pacific Island nations

State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Sunday China is ready to work with the Secretariat of the Pacific Islands Forum to develop and consolidate relations between China and Pacific Island countries.

The visiting foreign minister made the remarks when he met with Pacific Islands Forum Secretary-General Henry Puna in Suva, capital of Fiji. Fiji is the fourth leg of Wang's current tour to the Pacific Island countries.

Noting the PIF is the most representative inter-governmental organization in the South Pacific region, Wang said China has always attached great importance to its role in regional affairs.

Wang appreciated efforts Puna has made to promote friendship, exchange and cooperation between China and the forum since he became secretary-general in 2021.

China is willing to strengthen dialogue with the forum to build up mutual trust and conduct cooperation, Wang said, adding the country would also do its utmost to support the building of the forum.

Wang stressed his tour to the island nations is a journey of "peace, friendship and cooperation", aimed at enhancing mutually beneficial cooperation and friendly exchanges with Pacific Island countries.

China will deepen its relations with Pacific Island countries based on the principles of mutual respect, equal treatment, win-win cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, Wang pledged.

China is willing to carry out more trilateral cooperation with other countries, especially ones with traditional influence in the region, to complement advantages and form a synergy to help island countries enhance their independent development capabilities and accelerate their development and revitalization, said the foreign minister.

China supports the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, Wang said, adding that it would explore to carry out cooperation in fields such as maritime environmental protection and digital commerce to forge new growth points.

Noting China's economy is vibrant, Wang pledged China would steadfastly step up opening up and share development dividends with island countries. China welcomes more quality products of island countries to enter into its market, he added.

Puna said China, being an important dialogue and development partner of Pacific Island countries, has made indispensable contributions to the development of island countries for a long time.

He said the island countries looked forward to enhancing development strategy alignment and expanding cooperation with China in fields including economy and trade, education and blue economy.

He also hoped that island countries could fully leverage opportunities brought by China's development to realize sustainable and diversified development.

The two sides also exchanged views on climate change. Wang said China would take concrete actions to honor its commitments on climate change.

China would work with developing countries, including island nations, to urge developed countries to earnestly shoulder their historical responsibilities, fulfill their commitments to developing countries, and achieve carbon neutrality as early as possible, so as to make due contributions to addressing climate change, said the foreign minister.

China will continue to respond to the needs of small island countries through the framework of South-South cooperation and provide assistance within its capacity, Wang added.

Puna thought highly of China's efforts made to tackle the climate change and appreciated the climate change cooperation center between China and Pacific Island countries. He expressed willingness to jointly push the Paris Agreement into action.