China Holds the Second Foreign Ministers' Meeting with Pacific Island Countries

On May 30, 2022 local time, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Fijian Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama co-chaired the second China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Suva. President and Foreign Minister Taneti Maamau of Kiribati, Samoan Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Afioga Fiame Naomi Mataafa, Premier and Foreign Minister Dalton Tagelagi of Niue, Foreign Minister Soroi Eoe of Papua New Guinea, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and External Trade Marc Ati of Vanuatu, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Kandhi Elieisar of Federated States of Micronesia, Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade Jeremiah Manele of Solomon Islands, Tongan Foreign Minister Fekitamoeloa Katoa 'Utoikamanu, Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Henry Puna and others attended the meeting both online and offline.

Wang Yi first read out President Xi Jinping's written remarks to the meeting. Wang Yi said that the world today is facing unprecedented challenges and changes. Where is the world headed? The answer President Xi Jinping has given is to build a community with a shared future for mankind. China is ready to work with other countries to inject more stability and certainty into a world beset by changes and turmoil, and add more solidarity and confidence to a world in danger of division.

Wang Yi said, honoring the commitments is the style of the Chinese people to deal with things, assisting others in a time of urgent need is the way that the Chinese people treat friends, and upholding justice is the guiding principle that the Chinese people behave. More than ten outcomes reached at the first China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers' Meeting have been implemented. China has made every effort to help Pacific Island Countries (PICs) fight against natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic, and stands firmly with PICs on issues concerning national sovereignty and security, climate change, maritime rights and interests, and sustainable development. Facts have proved that China's cooperation with PICs conforms to the trend of the times, benefits the people in the region, and shows great vitality and bright prospects.

Wang Yi stressed that over the past half century, no matter how the international landscape evolves, China's friendly policy towards PICs has never changed and its commitment to cooperate with PICs has been firm. China firmly supports what serves the interests of PICs. We will press ahead with whatever PICs need. Following the basic principle of mutual respect and moving towards the fundamental goal of common development, China is willing to strengthen political communication, work hand in hand in development, render utmost assistance to fight the pandemic, take the lead in addressing climate change, conduct people-to-people and cultural exchanges and mutual learning, and strengthen solidarity and cooperation on the international stage, so as to promote the stability and long-term development of bilateral relations and achieve more fruitful results. China will continue to listen to the voice of PICs and their people, respect the existing cooperation mechanisms and arrangements in the PICs region, and also support other willing countries in increasing input in promoting the development of PICs and carrying out tripartite or even four-party cooperation so as to draw on each other's strengths and foster synergy.

Wang Yi announced that China will continue to build six new cooperation platforms, including poverty reduction, climate change, disaster prevention, agriculture and Juncao centers. The second China-Pacific Island Countries Agriculture Ministers' Meeting will be held this year. China-Oceania and South Pacific International Trade Digital Expo will be held.

Leaders and foreign ministers of PICs attending the meeting said that President Xi Jinping's written remarks show the great importance he attaches to bilateral relations with PICs and his sincere friendship. PICs cherish their friendship and partnership with China, thank China for its selfless support and assistance to PICs in fighting disasters and the pandemic, strengthening economic resilience and realizing independent development, and support the Belt and Road Initiative and the Global Development Initiative. They said, they will continue to firmly pursue the one-China principle, and look forward to expanding cooperation with China in various fields and learning from the experience of China's reform and development, to help PICs advance the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, strengthen their capacity in infrastructure construction, improvement of people's livelihood and climate change response and ecological protection, and achieve the sustainable development, delivering a better life to the people of PICs and writing more memorable friendship stories.

After the meeting, China will issue a position paper on mutual respect and common development between China and PICs.