Party leaders of Pacific Island countries laud exchanges, collaboration with China

Political party leaders from Pacific Island countries have hailed their countries' cooperation with China, saying that the two sides would strengthen exchanges and seek shared development.

They made the remarks on Thursday during the second China-Pacific Island Countries Political Leadership Dialogue, which was hosted by the International Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee in an online and offline manner.

Jimson Tanangada, president of Ownership, Unity and Responsibility (OUR) Party of the Solomon Islands, said his party and country would like to enhance cooperation with the CPC and China to accelerate national development and rejuvenation, and address global challenges.

He said Solomon Islands-China cooperation is a model of the South-South cooperation, and expressed the country's strong support for China's Global Development Initiative.

As the island nations are confronted with a number of challenges including the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change and the rise of unilateralism and hegemonism, he called for the two sides to enhance unity and promote multilateralism.

Johnny Koanapo, secretary-general of Vanuatu's Vanuaaku Party and the country's minister of finance and economic management, said interparty exchanges with the CPC are of critical importance, as they help enhance mutual trust and friendship and contribute to regional development.

He hailed China for upholding the principle of mutual respect and noninterference in internal affairs when dealing with Pacific Island nations and paying great attention to the needs of people in the region.

He expressed opposition to any move or policy that creates division or confrontation, saying that Vanuatu and China should strengthen dialogue and cooperation to safeguard their national interests.

China and Pacific Island countries established their comprehensive strategic partnership in 2018, ushering in a new era of all-around cooperation between the two sides. China has signed Belt and Road cooperation documents with all the 10 Pacific Island countries with which it has diplomatic relations.

According to a document issued by China in May, Beijing has provided Pacific Island countries with nearly 600,000 doses of vaccines since the start of the pandemic. China has implemented over 100 aid projects and trained about 10,000 people in various fields for island nations.

Morris Tovebae, national general secretary of Papua New Guinea's Pangu Party, said that Papua New Guinea hopes to advance alignment between the Belt and Road Initiative and its development strategies, and strengthen exchanges of experience on governance.

Papua New Guinea and China share aspirations of pursuing peaceful development and improving people's welfare, he said, adding that his country wants to learn from China's experience, which helps Papua New Guinea explore a path that suits its national conditions.

David Teaabo, Kiribati's ambassador to China, expressed gratitude to China for assisting his country's infrastructure projects under the framework of the BRI.

Liu Jianchao, minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, said that China is willing to work together with Pacific Island countries to promote peace and development in the region.