1. On the Framework for Pacific Regionalism
I am greatly honored, on behalf of the Chinese government, to attend the 27th Post Forum Dialogue (PFD) of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF). I wish to start by expressing my warm congratulations on the successful convening of the PIF Leaders’ Meeting and extend my sincere appreciation of the PIF Leaders’ Meeting and extend my sincere appreciation for the thoughtful arrangements by the PNG government for the Post Forum Dialogue.
To keep up with the time, the PIF officially initiated the ambitious Framework for Pacific Regionalism. China wishes to express its welcome for it and believes it will help enhance regional integration and achieve common development by identifying and focusing on the goals and development priorities of Pacific Regionalism. We are ready to work with other PIF dialogue partners and relevant parties to provide support and help for the Pacific Island Countries in advancing regional integration and achieving sustainable development.
2. On Climate Change
Climate change is a global issue and common challenge of mankind that calls for the collaboration of the international community. The Chinese government attaches great importance to addressing climate change, incorporating it as a major national strategy for economic and social development and including green and low-carbon development in its conservation culture. In 2014, China’s CO2 emissions per unit of GDP were lowered by 33.8% from the 2005 level, and the share of non-fossil fuels in primary energy consumption reached 11.2%. China now leads the world in energy conservation and the use of new and renewable energy, with its installed capacity of renewable energy accounting for 24% of the world total. In the past June, China proposed the Intended Nationally Determined Contributions to the United Nations. We plan to lower carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP by 60% to 65% from the 2015 level, increase the share of non-fossil fuels in primary energy consumption to around 20%, increase the forest stock volume by around 4.5 billion cubic meters on the 2005 level, achieve the peaking of CO2 emissions around 2030 and make best efforts to do it early.
Through strengthening coordination and forging consensus with all parties, China will continue to uphold the principles of “common but differentiated responsibilities”, equity and respective capability, and endeavor to push for a comprehensive, balanced and ambitious agreement at the Paris Conference. We will work our best to build an equitable and reasonable global climate change governance mechanism for win-win cooperation. We will also be committed to facilitating the full, effective and sustained implementation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). We hope developed countries will honor their commitments to provide long-term financial support of 100 billion US dollars annually before 2020, contribute to the Green Climate Fund as soon as possible and transfer green technology to developing countries.
China actively promotes South-South cooperation on climate change and fulfills its international obligations as a major developing country. During the period of 2011 to 2015, China has, in total, arranged around RMB 400 million in assisting developing countries to tackle climate change. We fully understand the special difficulties of the Pacific Island Countries on climate change and have been assisting and helping the Pacific Island Countries in terms of financing, technology and capacity building. Over recent years, China has launched projects such as mini hydro-power stations, demonstration eco-farm and bio-gas technology utilization in the Pacific Island Countries. We have provided energy-conserving facilities such as energy-efficient air-conditioners, solar street lights and mini solar generators to relevant Pacific Island Countries. China has also made donations on a yearly basis to the Pacific Regional Environment Program for climate change projects and provided material assistance and personnel training for these countries against natural disasters. China is preparing to establish a Fund for South-South Cooperation on Climate Change. China is ready to, under the South-South Cooperation framework, provide more support to the Pacific Island Countries in terms of capability building, policy planning, projects developing and so on.
China understands and respects the concerns of the Pacific Island Countries on climate change. We support the legitimate aspirations of the Pacific Island Countries in the UNFCCC negotiation and are ready to strengthen communication and dialogue with the Pacific Island Countries on multilateral process on climate change. We are willing to work closely with the Pacific Island Countries to play a constructive role in the international climate change negotiation and safeguard the common interests of developing countries.
3. On Connectivity of Information and Communications Technology
Information and communications technology (ICT) is an important means of connectivity. The connectivity of ICT will help to realize information sharing, narrow digital gap, advance cultural exchanges and step up growth of trade. It perfectly fits the goal of the Pacific Island Countries to promote regionalism.
The Chinese government attaches importance to information connectivity with neighboring countries, making it an important part of the “21st Century Maritime Silk Road” initiative. Measures taken in this regard include accelerating regional network facilities, constructing telecommunication facilities, establishing “Information Highway”, deepening technical cooperation on Internet communication, cyber security, Internet searching and the Internet of Things, launching cross-border e-commerce, and facilitating customs clearance, logistics, and tourism through information sharing. China has rich experience in the field of information connectivity.
China will actively support the efforts by the Pacific Island Countries to achieve ICT connectivity. China will strengthen coordination with the Pacific Island Countries between governments, enterprises and business organizations, and share our experience. We support enterprises of both sides to use new technologies including cloud computing, big data and mobile Internet to conduct innovation of application and service mode. We will also carry out cooperation in terms of hardware, software, application, security, service, and platform building according to the needs of the Pacific Island Countries.
We will continue to encourage our ICT enterprises to take an active part in the building of ICT connectivity and implement projects such as e-government, electronic ID, national broadband network and tele-education. The Pacific Island Countries are welcomed to apply for China’s connectional loans and the special loan for infrastructure construction. Relevant officials and technical personnel are welcomed to participate in training courses in China and we’re willing to share our experience.
4. On Fisheries
We support the Pacific Island Countries to enhance the capability of fishing within the framework of relevant multilateral organizations, in order to make full use of their fishery resources and promote economic development and employment. We will continue to encourage more capable Chinese companies to invest in the fishing industry of the Pacific Island Countries and to help them enhance the capability of fishing, processing, management and marketing, so as to promote the development of their fishery economy.
China attaches importance to the conservation and sustainable use of fishery resources. We stand ready to work with the Pacific Island Countries and coordinate our positions to better protect and manage tuna resources and promote the sustainable use of tuna and other highly migratory fishery resources under the framework of multilateral organizations including Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC).
China supports the efforts to crack down on illegal fishing and stands ready to strengthen cooperation with the Pacific Island Countries on promoting sustainable use of fishing resources, taking measures to control fishing intensity and fighting against illegal fishing. China actively supports relevant measures taken by regional fishing organizations and is ready to offer assistance in terms of technology and capital among others within our capacity.
5. On the Prevention and Cure of Cervical Cancer
The Chinese government pays high attention to women’s health. Over the years, China has accumulated rich experience and its technology gradually matures in screening, diagnosing and treating cervical cancer. China values the cooperation with the Pacific Island Countries in the field of public health. Over recent years, we have been aiding the construction of medical facilities, sending out medical teams to the Pacific Island Countries and providing all kinds of medical services to the local people. China is ready to prioritize the prevention and cure of cervical cancer in carrying out medical services to the Pacific Island Countries, dispatch more experts, provide more facilities and equipment and train more local medical staff.
6. On Cooperation Between China and the Pacific Island Countries
We understand the special difficulties and challenges the Pacific Island Countries are confronted with in their economic development and social progress. We therefore have all along tried our best to provide assistance to our Pacific friends and make donations to relevant regional organizations. Up to date, China has, within the framework of bilateral economic and technical assistance, implemented over 100 major projects, trained more than 4000 management and technical personnel, provided 800 scholarships, and dispatched a good number of medical teams, agriculture experts and Chinese teachers to the Pacific Island Countries.
Last November at the China-Pacific Island Countries Leaders Meeting in Nadi, Fiji, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced a package of policy measures of the Chinese side on promoting economic and social development of the Pacific Island Countries, covering trade and economic cooperation, energy, infrastructure construction, people-to-people exchanges and cooperation and other areas. We are ready to consult with our Pacific friends on making use of the above-mentioned measures to enhance mutually beneficial cooperation in the priority areas identified by the PIF summit. We will gradually increase our grant assistance to the Pacific Island Countries, and we welcome the Pacific Island Countries to use the concessional loans and special loan for infrastructure construction provided by the Chinese side in carrying out economic and social development projects for the benefit of the people in the region.
China and relevant countries are actively discussing cooperation on the “21st Century Maritime Silk Road”. The South Pacific region is the natural extension of the Maritime Silk Road. We are ready to further dovetail our development strategies and enhance connectivity with the region, with a view to realizing common development. The preparation of the Asian Infrastructure and Investment Bank is currently progressing smoothly. We believe it will, when officially established, play a positive role in the development of relevant countries and regions including the Pacific Island Countries.
We will strengthen exchanges and cooperation with our Pacific friends on education, culture, sports and health. We welcome more students, officials and technical personnel from the Pacific Island countries to study and receive training in China. We will dispatch more art troupes, Chinese teachers, sport coaches and medical experts, and construct more stadiums, hospitals and schools for the region. We will also encourage more Chinese citizens to travel to the Pacific Island Countries for sightseeing.
China will convene a Roundtable on South-South Cooperation during the UN General Assembly this month to explore ways of deepening South-South Cooperation and assisting the Pacific Island Countries and other developing countries to implement the Post-2015 Development Agenda. We will continue to support the legitimate aspirations of the Pacific Island Countries on the international arena including the UN, and will enhance coordination with other dialogue partners to facilitate the regional cooperation process.
We will continue to support the PIF to play an important role in regional affairs. China will continue to make donations to the PIF, the South Pacific Tourist Organizations and the Pacific Regional Environment Programme to facilitate relevant regional cooperation projects.