Xi says China to deepen development cooperation with Pacific island countries

Chinese-made COVID-19 vaccines are unloaded at an airport in Honiara, Solomon Islands, April 11, 2021. (Chinese Embassy in Solomon Islands/Handout via Xinhua)

BEIJING, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) -- China is ready to share its experience in poverty reduction and deepen development cooperation with Solomon Islands and other Pacific Island countries, Chinese President Xi Jinping said Friday.

In a phone conversation with Manasseh Sogavare, prime minister of Solomon Islands, Xi said that China is ready to help Pacific Island countries find a development path of poverty reduction suited to their own national conditions, so that they can better cope with major public health events and natural disasters, and enhance the capacity to cope with climate change.

Since the establishment of diplomatic ties two years ago, bilateral relations between China and Solomon Islands have been developing vigorously, bringing tangible benefits to the people of two sides, Xi stressed.

Facts have proved that Solomon Islands' decision to establish diplomatic ties with China is completely right, Xi said.

Noting that both are developing countries, Xi said China and Solomon Islands share many common interests in upholding international order, fairness and justice.

China, Xi said, respects Solomon Islands' independent exploration of a development path suited to its national conditions and supports the efforts of the people of Solomon Islands to pursue a better life.

China highly appreciates Solomon Islands' firm adherence to the one-China policy and stands ready to work with Solomon Islands to push bilateral relations to a higher level, Xi said.

Xi pointed out that China is willing to strengthen inter-party exchanges with Solomon Islands, promote synergy between the joint building of the Belt and Road Initiative and Solomon Islands' development plan, deepen practical cooperation in various fields, and welcome Solomon Islands to use the China International Import Expo and other platforms for promotion of competitive products and expand exports to China.

China, Xi said, is ready to continue to provide Solomon Islands with economic and technical assistance without any political strings attached as well as help within its capacity to Solomon Islands' fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

For his part, Sogavare extended congratulations on the centenary of the Communist Party of China and the great development achievements it has led the Chinese people to make, and also wished the Beijing Winter Olympic Games a success.

China has provided massive support and assistance to Solomon Islands and other countries around the world in fighting against the COVID-19 pandemic, noted Sogavare, expressing his country's appreciation and gratitude.

Solomon Islands, he added, firmly adheres to the one-China policy, agrees with such principles advocated by China as sovereign independence, mutual respect and non-interference in each other's internal affairs, and supports the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

He added that his country will continue to staunchly support China on issues related to Taiwan, Xinjiang, Hong Kong and human rights.

Solomon Islands, he said, is ready to learn from China's development experience, and work with China to strengthen win-win cooperation in various fields and lift bilateral relations to higher levels.