China Says Pacific Island Countries Have the Right to Choose Their Own Development Partners
Dragon Media News Desk
China has said its relations with Pacific island countries are aimed at strengthening South–South cooperation and promoting common development, stressing that such cooperation should not be disrupted by any third party.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi made the remarks during talks in Beijing on Tuesday with Rick Houenipwela, Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade of the Solomon Islands.
Wang said Pacific island countries have the right to independently choose their development partners.
He noted that relations between China and the Solomon Islands have maintained strong momentum since the two countries established diplomatic ties in 2019. Cooperation in various fields has produced tangible results and brought practical benefits to the people of the Solomon Islands, he said.
Wang said China was ready to work with the new government of the Solomon Islands to deepen exchanges at all levels, maintain sound cooperation across different sectors and elevate the comprehensive strategic partnership for a new era to a higher level.
He stressed that China does not attach political conditions to its cooperation with the Solomon Islands, impose its will on others or make promises that cannot be fulfilled.
Wang called for closer alignment between the two countries’ development strategies, high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and greater practical collaboration in green energy and other sectors.
The two sides also discussed expanding people-to-people exchanges in education, healthcare and youth affairs, strengthening multilateral coordination and jointly addressing global challenges, including climate change.
Houenipwela said the Solomon Islands attaches great importance to its relations with China and expressed appreciation for Beijing’s long-term contribution to the country’s economic and social development.
He reaffirmed the Solomon Islands’ firm commitment to the one-China principle and expressed support for the vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity and China’s four major global initiatives.
Houenipwela said his country was willing to contribute actively to deeper relations between China and Pacific island countries and strengthen coordination with Beijing in multilateral organisations, including the United Nations and the World Trade Organization.
The visit was Houenipwela’s first official trip to China since taking office. He visited China from July 10 to 15, with discussions focused on increasing political trust, deepening mutually beneficial cooperation and supporting the stable development of bilateral relations.
Before travelling to Beijing, Houenipwela held meetings in Jiangsu Province on cooperation in agriculture, education, technology and skills development.
He also met representatives of a Chinese company to explore possible cooperation on seawater desalination projects powered by renewable energy.
The latest talks reflect efforts by China and the Solomon Islands to expand their relationship beyond political engagement and develop more practical cooperation in green energy, infrastructure, human-resource development and multilateral affairs.
