Vanuatu lauds China-proposed Global Development Initiative

Vanuatu's Prime Minister Charlot Salwai has hailed China as a reliable development partner, saying his country has become a true beneficiary of the China-proposed Global Development Initiative.

He made the remarks when addressing the opening ceremony of the Second High-level Conference of the Forum on Global Action For Shared Development in Beijing on Friday.

"Vanuatu people can truly see the benefits of the GDI with our own eyes and feel the sincerity of China as a development partner with our own hearts," said Salwai, who is currently on an official visit to China.

Noting China and Vanuatu are good friends, good brothers and good partners, he said the two countries are always committed to down-to-earth cooperation.

"Although the world faces increasing uncertainties and instabilities, Vanuatu will always trust China as a reliable development partner," said the prime minister.

The China-constructed Pentecost road phase 1 was completed and handed over to Vanuatu government early this year, which he said is lauded as "the road of hope" by the local people.

According to the prime minister, the total value of trade between China and Vanuatu in 2023 reached $138 million, up by 27 percent year-on-year.

He said that early this year, Vanuatu officially joined the Group of Friends of the GDI, marking another milestone in the history of Vanuatu-China friendship and cooperation.

"In our first foreign policy white paper, Vanuatu reaffirms its commitment to the GDI, making it one of the priorities in Vanuatu-China relations," he added.

He expressed the hope that China, Vanuatu and other developing countries could work closer and harder together so as to make the results of development deliver more equal benefits to the world.