In this Nov 24, 2018 photo, ships are docked offshore in Honiara, the capital of the Solomon Islands. China has implemented nearly 500 complete plant projects, technical assistance, in-kind assistance and concessional loan projects in Pacific island countries since the establishment of diplomatic relations. (MARK SCHIEFELBEIN / AP)
SUVA – China will appoint a special government envoy for affairs related to Pacific island countries, and strengthen win-win cooperation on infrastructure, economy, climate change and other areas, according to a position paper issued here Monday after the second China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers' Meeting.
China stands ready to work with Pacific island countries to strengthen the synergy between Belt and Road cooperation and regional cooperation initiatives such as Pacific Aid for Trade Strategy 2020-2025, Regional E-commerce Strategy and Pacific Quality Infrastructure Initiative, and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in the fields of infrastructure, agriculture, forestry and fishery, energy, mining, information and communication technology, e-commerce and tourism, the paper said.
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China will continue to promote Pacific island countries' premium products and projects, such as agro-products, and expand their market access to China, it said.
China will continue to promote Pacific island countries' premium products and projects, such as agro-products, and expand their market access to China, the paper said
As Pacific island countries are vulnerable to climate crisis, China will help them build a climate resilient blue economy, and provide training opportunities through the China-Pacific Island Countries Climate Change Cooperation Center.
China is willing to carry out cooperation on ocean forecasting and disaster early-warning, establish a China-Pacific island countries disaster management cooperation mechanism and a disaster preparedness and mitigation cooperation center, and hold the first China-Pacific Island Countries Disaster Management Cooperation Forum in due course, the paper said.
Fijian Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama and visiting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi co-chaired the second China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers' Meeting here on Monday.
500 Chinese projects in Pacific island nations
China has implemented nearly 500 complete plant projects, technical assistance, in-kind assistance and concessional loan projects in Pacific island countries since the establishment of diplomatic relations, according to a position paper issued here Monday after the second China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers' Meeting.
Such projects have helped Pacific island countries build important infrastructure such as roads, bridges, wharfs, hospitals, schools and stadiums, and trained about 10,000 professionals in various fields, the paper said.
China has dispatched medical teams to eight Pacific island countries having diplomatic ties with China, and has signed Belt and Road cooperation documents with all the 10 Pacific island countries having diplomatic relations with China, it said.
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From 1992 to 2021, the total trade volume between China and Pacific island countries having diplomatic relations with China registered an average annual increase of 13 percent and expanded by over 30 times, while the two sides have forged 22 pairs of sister provinces/states and cities, it said.
Fijian Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama and Visiting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi co-chaired the second China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers' Meeting here Monday.