China: A development partner to the Pacific region | Stuff.co.nz
Wang Xiaolong12:00, Mar 10 2022
Dr Wang Xiaolong is the Chinese ambassador to New Zealand
OPINION: Chinese President Xi Jinping and the leaders of Pacific Island countries held a meeting on the margin of the Apec Leaders’ Meeting in Port Moresby in November 2018.
I was a witness to the event and it left me with deep and lasting impressions. The leaders then decided to elevate the mutual relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership featuring mutual respect and common development.
In October last year, State Councillor Wang Yi and relevant Pacific Island countries foreign ministers launched a regular meeting mechanism.
Over the years, China has deepened economic and trade relations with countries worldwide, including most regional countries. While increasing imports from Pacific Island countries, China helps them build infrastructure such as roads, ports, and airports, within the framework of South-South co-operation, to improve people’s livelihoods and strengthen their development capabilities.
Developing the economy and improving lives are the top priorities for Pacific countries. As a fellow developing country, China feels deeply and dearly the Pacific Island countries’ aspirations towards development and has responded positively to their wishes for economic and trade co-operation.
China and the Pacific Island Countries respect and support each other. Since the outbreak of Covid, the two sides have supported each other broadly and China has delivered PPEs, vaccines, and medicines and provided funding in support of the region’s Covid-19 response.
When China makes a commitment, it delivers.
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