China Foreign Ministry has confirmed that the second China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers’ will be held in Fiji.
Spokesperson Wang Wenbin confirmed at a media conference May 24th, “State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi will host the second China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Fiji.”
Wang said that it will be the first time that the meeting will take place in a Pacific Island country.
“Parties to the meeting will have in-depth exchange of views on such issues as China-Pacific Island Countries relations, exchanges and cooperation across the board, and international and regional cooperation,” said Wang adding that the meeting will play an important role in promoting the solidarity and cooperation between China and Pacific Island Countries and strengthening China-Pacific Island Countries relations.
The inaugural meeting was held Oct. 21 last year via video teleconference.
Convened by Foreign Minister Wang, the meeting was attended by the following: Kiribati President and Foreign Minister Taneti Maamau, Fiji Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama, Tonga Prime Minister Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa, Niue Premier and Foreign Minister Dalton Tagelagi, Papua New Guinea Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Trade Soroi Eoe, Vanuatu Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and External Trade Marc Ati, Federated States of Micronesia Secretary of Foreign Affairs Kandhi Elieisar and Solomon Islands Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade Jeremiah Manele of Solomon Islands. Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Henry Puna attended the meeting upon invitation.
Yesterday, Wang reiterated that the inaugural meeting was a success with all parties agreeing to establish a mechanism for regular meetings. He said the countries had reached import consensus on China-Pacific Islands relationship, on the fight against COVID-19, exchanges and cooperation in various fields, international and regional issues, among other topics of mutual interest.
During the first meeting, the parties looked into the evolution of the China – Pacific Islands relations since President Xi Jinping met those whose nations have diplomatic ties with China in 2018. They were in common understanding that their relations had steadily deepened and cooperation on a wide swath of fields yielded fruitful outcomes.
The Pacific islanders also conveyed their congratulatory greetings on the occasion of the centenary of the Communist Party of China.
Regardless of their wealth and size, the parties agreed that they are co-equals and they reaffirmed respect for each other’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
There was an agreement for them to explore high-level exchanges and cooperation. Vowing to cooperate on the fight against COVID-19, they also saw vaccines as a public good and they looked up to and expressed gratitude to China’s support.
China also vowed to continue assisting the Pacific Island countries in economic development and livelihood improvement.
They all agreed “to steer global development toward a new stage of balanced, coordinated and inclusive growth, speed up the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, pursue more robust, greener and more balanced global development, and build a global community of development with a shared future.”
They were in agreement over promotion of the practice of true multilateralism, “abide by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, uphold the international system with the UN at its core and the international order based on international law, and work together for a new type of international relations.”
