At foreign ministers’ meeting, Beijing vows deeper cooperation on key issues, including climate

China has announced a list of initiatives to advance cooperation with Pacific Island countries in fields including climate change response, disaster prevention and mitigation, maritime trade, and other priority areas.

The May 28 announcement came after Foreign Minister Wang Yi and high-level officials from 11 Pacific Island countries having diplomatic ties with China, as well as the representative of the Pacific Islands Forum, gathered in Xiamen, Fujian province, for the Third China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.

“We aim to fulfill our commitments to our friends in Pacific Island countries through concrete actions,” Wang said when he and Kiribati’s President and Foreign Minister Taneti Maamau jointly met with the press after co-chairing the meeting.

It was the first time the meeting was held in person in China since the mechanism was established in 2021. The previous ones were held via video link in 2021 and 2022.

On developing relations with Pacific Island countries, Wang said it is important to prioritize urgent issues, such as climate change, economic development, improving livelihoods, and social stability.

To this end, China commits to investing new funds to expand its cooperation with Pacific Island countries on sustainable development, he said.

Over the next three years, China will implement 100 “small yet impactful” projects aimed at addressing climate change in these countries, Wang said, adding that China is willing to share early-warning technologies with them to help prevent and mitigate disasters.

“We deeply regret that a certain major country has withdrawn from the Paris Agreement. However, regardless of how the situation changes, China’s resolve to support and participate in global climate governance will not waver, nor will our commitment to implementing South-South cooperation on climate change,” he said.

According to Wang, China will also align its development strategies with Pacific Island countries, strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields, and facilitate the access of more high-quality products from these countries to the huge Chinese market.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of China establishing diplomatic relations with Pacific Island countries.

The two sides have continued to expand exchanges and cooperation in more than 20 areas.

According to Chinese statistics, trade between China and Pacific Island nations that have diplomatic ties with Beijing has risen more than thirtyfold from 1992 to 2021.

Maamau, Kiribati’s president, said the joint statement after the meeting “stands as a testament to the enduring strength and resilience of the relationship between China and the Pacific Island countries”.

According to Wang, during the meeting, Pacific Island countries voiced their commitment to the one-China principle and support for China’s just position of upholding sovereignty and territorial integrity.

As this year marks the 80th anniversaries of victory in World War II and Taiwan’s return to China in 1945, such commitment shows that “Taiwan independence” rhetoric has no takers among Pacific Island countries, Wang said.

Papua New Guinea Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko said the meeting offered a good opportunity for Pacific Island nations to discuss advancing their relationship with China.