China, Pacific island countries reach 5-point consensus at foreign ministers' meeting

SUVA - China and Pacific island countries have reached a five-point consensus at their second foreign ministers' meeting, visiting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Monday.

At a joint press conference with Fijian Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Voreqe Bainimarama, who also co-chaired the meeting, Wang said the meeting was a success and has produced consensus in five aspects:

First, they agreed to deepen their comprehensive strategic partnership. China is not a newcomer, but an old friend who has known the island countries for years, Wang said, adding that China and Pacific island countries will continue to support and help each other, firmly safeguard each other's core interests and major concerns, and continuously consolidate and expand their comprehensive strategic partnership.

Second, they agreed to safeguard sovereignty, independence and national dignity. The national sovereignty of all countries should be respected, the principle of non-interference should be upheld, and the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries, especially small and medium-sized countries, should be safeguarded, Wang said.

Third, they agreed to pursue common development and prosperity. China is committed to high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, jointly responding to challenges such as COVID-19 and economic recovery, and ensuring and increasing people's well-being, Wang said, adding that China will continue to provide assistance to Pacific island countries with no political strings attached and enhance their capacity for self-development.

Fourth, they agreed to uphold true multilateralism. Both China and Pacific island countries call for the acceleration of the implementation of the Paris Agreement, and concrete steps to support Pacific island countries in tackling climate change, Wang said. China appreciates the support from Pacific island countries for the Global Development Initiative and will help them achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

Fifth, they agreed to promote mutual understanding among the people. China is ready to step up exchanges and cooperation with Pacific island countries in education, culture, youth, sports and media, and will provide more government scholarships and training opportunities for the island countries and support cooperation at the sub-national level.

China is ready to continue close communication with all parties to give full play to the mechanism of the China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers' Meeting, so as to work together to build an even closer community of shared future for China and Pacific island countries.

The meeting was attended by foreign ministers of China, Fiji, Kiribati, Samoa, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Micronesia, the Solomon Islands and Tonga, as well as secretary general of the Pacific Islands Forum online and offline.