President Tallis Obed Moses of Vanuatu Meets with Wang Yi

On June 1, 2022 local time, Vanuatu President Tallis Obed Moses of Vanuatu met with State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Port Vila.

Moses warmly welcomed the Chinese Foreign Minister's visit on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, saying that since the establishment of diplomatic ties, Vanuatu and China have always respected each other, treated each other as equals and built up solid mutual trust. China has always paid attention to the needs of Vanuatu, giving priority to helping Vanuatu improve its people's livelihood and vigorously building infrastructure, bringing great benefits to the people of Vanuatu, which the government and people of Vanuatu will always remember. China has proved through practical actions that it is a true friend that Vanuatu can trust. Likewise, no matter how the international landscape evolves and what challenges it will encounter in the future, Vanuatu will always be China's true friend. Vanuatu will continue to firmly pursue the one-China principle and take it as the cornerstone to promote the greater development of Vanuatu-China relations.

Wang Yi said that this year marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Vanuatu, which bears great significance to building on past successes to further advance bilateral relations. Ancient Chinese philosopher Confucius observed that "when reaching the age of forty, one should have no more doubts." Having gone through 40 years of twists and turns, China-Vanuatu relations have become more solid, and will surely expel disturbances with our determined will, forge ahead with great strides and in a determined direction without hesitation.

Wang Yi said that with the joint efforts of both sides, the friendship between China and Vanuatu has been increasingly deepened, mutual trust has been gradually enhanced, cooperation has borne fruits and people have benefited tangibly from that. China is willing to work with Vanuatu to jointly summarize the successful experience of bilateral exchanges, map out the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Vanuatu, and promote to open up a new bright future for China-Vanuatu relations.

Wang Yi stressed that unlike some major counties, China's diplomacy has always upheld sovereign equality and has always treated all developing countries, especially small and medium-sized countries, with sincerity and equality, because we share common historical experience and understand the importance of sovereign equality and national dignity for small and medium-sized countries. In addition, we have also firmly safeguarded the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries at the international and regional levels, especially in the UN system. We will continue to work with developing countries in solidarity and coordination, uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, adhere to the principle of non-interference in internal affairs, and defend international equity and justice.

Moses said that Vanuatu and China share common development aspirations. Vanuatu highly echoes the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind and also believes that all peoples, regardless of race, nationality and class, should equally enjoy the rights to peace, development, equity, justice, democracy and freedom.

Both sides agreed to strengthen people-to-people and cultural exchanges, enhance mutual understanding and strengthen people-to-people connectivity. Wang Yi appreciated Vanuatu for its integration of Chinese language education into its national education system and expressed his willingness to build bridges of friendship and support more young people of Vanuatu in learning Chinese, so as to carry forward China-Vanuatu friendship from generation to generation.

On the same day, Prime Minister Bob Loughman of Vanuatu led key cabinet members to attend the collective talks with Wang Yi and jointly attended the signing ceremony of bilateral cooperation documents.