From 3rd to 4th June, Chinese Ambassador to PNG H.E. Yang Xiaoguang contributed an article to The National and Post-Courier entitled “A New Chapter of Jointly Building China-PICs Community with a Shared Future”. The article gives a comprehensive introduction to the outcomes of the Third China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, which was successful held recently. The full text is as follows:

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the beginning of diplomatic relations between China and Pacific Island countries (PICs). Over the past 50 years, China has always regarded PICs as good friends, good partners and good brothers. In recent years, China has upheld the “four full respects” policy set by Chinese President Xi Jinping when forging ties with Pacific Island countries. Under the strategic guidance of President Xi and the leaders of PICs, the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and PICs has shown new vitality, achieved new outcomes, and reached new level.

At this crucial historical juncture in the development of China-PICs relations, the third China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers’ Meeting was successfully held in Xiamen, China, from May 28 to 29. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Kiribati President and Foreign Minister Taneti Maamau co-chaired the meeting. Foreign ministers or representatives of PICs having diplomatic relations with China, as well as the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, attended the meeting. Several important outcome documents were released, including Joint Statement, List of Measures for China to Implement the Consensus of the meeting and China’s Initiative on Deepening Cooperation with PICs on Combating Climate Change. The fruitful outcomes of the meeting focus on five aspects.

First, mutual respect. China consistently upholds the principle that all countries, regardless of size, are equal. In its engagement with PICs, China steadfastly adheres to the “four full respects” principle. Pacific Island countries have proactively reaffirmed their commitment to the one-China principle, that there is but one China in the world, Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory, and the government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China. PICs firmly oppose “Taiwan independence”, understand and support China’s legitimate rights of defending national sovereignty and territorial integrity. China will continue to work with PICs in supporting each other and safeguarding their respective core interests and major concerns.

Second, practical cooperation. Both sides are committed to promoting synergy between high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, and strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, trade, investment, agriculture, fishery, tourism and civil aviation, and advancing offshore aquaculture cooperation. China will speed up bilateral FTA negotiations with the relevant PICs, provide more convenience for the export of quality products from PICs to China, and share China’s vast market with PICs.

Third, sincere assistance. China provides genuine support to PICs based on their needs. China will deliver 200 small and beautiful livelihood programs in PICs, and build demonstration bases on high-yield rice, high-efficiency and large-scale tuber planting technology, and vegetable plantation in relevant PICs. In the field of climate change, which is of top concern to PICs, China will provide funding to PICs to address climate change, conduct 100 small and beautiful projects for the local communities in PICs to help them improve climate resilience in the next three years, and deepen cooperation with PICs on climate change response, disaster prevention and mitigation, and environment protection. In the field of education and training, China will provide 274 scholarships to PICs in the 2025/2026 school year, and 500 human resource training opportunities within 2025. In the field of health care, China will send 7 groups of 56 medical personnel to PICs within this year, send more traditional Chinese medicine doctors, and carry out more free medical treatment programs in the PICs. China will also invite PICs to attend the 2025 China International Travel Mart and provide them with free exhibition booths, and organize training seminars for tourism professionals of PICs.

Fourth, all-round exchanges. PICs acknowledge the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping, and will work with China to advance the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. China-PICs cooperation extended beyond political, economic, trade and people-to-people links. This year China will hold the fourth Ministerial Dialogue on Police Capacity Building and Cooperation Between China and PICs, hold “China in My Eyes” video competition for the PICs, and explore the establishment of a China-PICs think tank dialogue mechanism to further enrich the communication channels between the two sides. Besides, China will further strengthen exchanges and cooperation with PICs in various fields such as education, culture, media, think tanks, youth, women, sports and at the sub-national level, enhance mutual understanding and support through mutual learning, and jointly promote the progress of human civilization.

Fifth, fairness and justice. Both sides agree that the Pacific Ocean is large enough to accommodate win-win cooperation among all countries. The international community should support PICs’ independent choice of development cooperation partners. When developing relations with PICs, it is important to prioritize the most urgent issues, such as addressing climate change, promoting economic development, improving people’s livelihoods and maintaining social stability. China and PICs will take the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations as an opportunity to firmly uphold multilateralism, safeguard the international system with the United Nations at its center, maintain the international order underpinned by international law, defend the multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization at its core, and protect the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries.

During this meeting, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and PNG Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko held a bilateral meeting and exchanged views on deepening China-PNG relations and practical cooperation. Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that China and PNG are good friends with mutual trust, good partners for mutual benefit and win-win outcomes, and good brothers supporting each other in international affairs. Wang Yi extended congratulations on the 50th anniversary of PNG’s independence, saying that next year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and PNG. It is time for the two sides to review the successful experience in advancing bilateral relations and jointly chart the development blueprint for the next 50 years. The two sides should start the negotiations on a bilateral free trade agreement as soon as possible, and deepen cooperation in various fields to transform PNG’s development potential into development momentum. China values PNG’s influence as a major country in the South Pacific region and its role as a “gateway” to Asia. China is ready to work with PNG and other Pacific Island countries to implement the outcomes of this Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and make greater contributions to regional peace and development. Minister Tkatchenko reaffirmed that PNG government remains firmly committed to the one-China policy and supports China in safeguarding its national sovereignty and territorial integrity. PNG is willing to enhance communication and coordination with China, advance the Belt and Road Initiative projects, and strengthen practical cooperation, so as to help PNG achieve sustainable development.

The successful convening of this meeting once again demonstrates that China’s cooperation with PICs follows the trend of history, responds to the call of the times, and has yielded fruitful outcomes that benefit the people of PICs. It has not only helped each other succeed but also promoted regional peace, stability and prosperity. Moving forward, China stands ready to work closely with PNG to actively advance the implementation of the outcomes and consensus reached during this meeting, further deepen the China-PNG comprehensive strategic partnership, deliver greater benefits to both countries and peoples, and contribute more to the new chapter of building the China-PICs community with a shared future.