China and Pacific Island countries join together to address the challenge of climate change

In a striking practical demonstration of China’s principled stand on the equality of nations, be they big or small, Foreign Minister Wang Yi hosted the Third China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Xiamen (Fujian province) on May 28-29. Wang co-chaired the meeting with President and Foreign Minister of Kiribati Taneti Maamau and it was attended by those Pacific Island countries having diplomatic relations with China – Niue, Tonga, Federated States of Micronesia, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, the Cook Islands, Nauru, Fiji and Samoa.

Wang Yi said that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pacific Island countries (PICs). The everlasting friendship between the two sides has transcended mountains and seas. Regardless of changes in the international landscape, China has always regarded PICs as good friends, good partners, and good brothers. The development of the bilateral ties vividly demonstrates that friendship, whenever it happens, is cherishable; cooperation, whatever its size, is valuable. The “four full respects” principle put forward by President Xi Jinping, that is, China fully respects the sovereignty and independence of PICs, fully respects their will, fully respects their cultural traditions and fully respects their effort to seek strength through unity, constitutes the fundamental guideline for China’s relations with PICs.

He added 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, setting a model for peaceful coexistence between countries of different sizes and serving as an example for seeking development through unity among the Global South.

Wang Yi put forward a six-point suggestion on building a community with a shared future between China and PICs:

Uphold mutual respect. China will firmly defend the basic norm in international relations of non-interference in other countries’ internal affairs, and resolutely support PICs in safeguarding their sovereignty, security, and development interests. China believes that PICs will continue to abide by the one-China principle and support China’s just position on the question of Taiwan.

Prioritise development. Efforts will be made to accelerate negotiations on bilateral free trade agreements, strengthen cooperation in agricultural and fishery technology demonstration and training, and expand cooperation on tourism.

Adopt a people-centred approach. China is ready to strengthen experience sharing with PICs in poverty alleviation and primary-level governance. Seven groups of 56 medical personnel, as well as additional Traditional Chinese Medicine doctors, will be dispatched to further contribute to the well-being of the people in PICs.

Promote exchange and mutual learning. Both sides should enhance people-to-people exchanges in areas such as media, youth, women, and sports, and maintain close and frequent interactions like relatives. China is ready to carry out joint archaeology and research on the Austronesian language family.

Safeguard fairness and justice. China is ready to work with PICs to firmly safeguard the international system with the United Nations at its core and the international order based on international law.

Maintain solidarity in challenging times. China is ready to enhance coordination and cooperation with PICs in global climate governance, promote the full and effective implementation of the Paris Agreement, uphold the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, and urge developed countries to provide funding, technology, and capacity-building support to developing countries. China stays committed to assisting PICs in strengthening climate resilience within the framework of South-South cooperation.

The Chinese Foreign Minister stressed that the world today is far from tranquil, with resurfacing hegemonism and power politics as well as resurging unilateralism and protectionism. In the face of changes of the times and history, China firmly believes that peace, development, cooperation, and win-win outcomes remain the only right choice. China is committed to safeguarding world peace, contributing to global development, and upholding international order. China steadfastly stands on the side of international fairness and justice, the right side of history, and the side of the vast number of developing countries and consistently acts as a trustworthy and reliable partner for Global South countries. The vastness of the Pacific Ocean lies in its capacity to embrace all rivers without rejecting small streams, and the progress of human civilisation depends on pooling strength to overcome difficulties together. China is ready to join hands with all parties to write a new chapter in building a community with a shared future between China and PICs.

China also announced a six-point Initiative on Deepening Cooperation with Pacific Island Countries on Combating Climate Change:

China will work with PICs to build a global climate governance system featuring fairness, equity and win-win cooperation. Reaffirming that the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Paris Agreement are the main channel and basic legal framework for international cooperation on climate change, China stays committed to their goals, principles and rules and guided by the principles of equity, common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities established in the Convention.

China will enhance coordination and cooperation with PICs in the multilateral climate response process. China will encourage the international community to fully understand the special situation and concerns of developing countries, especially PICs, on the issue of climate change. China will urge developed countries to earnestly fulfil their obligations and commitments, and provide adequate funding, technology and capacity-building support to developing countries.

China will firmly support PICs in addressing climate change through sustainable development.

China will speed up the implementation of cooperation programs on climate change response. Efforts will be made to promote the establishment of low-carbon demonstration zones, carry out capacity-building training programs to support PICs in cultivating professional personnel, and strengthen the leading role of South-South cooperation projects in enhancing PICs’ capacity to address climate change. China welcomes more PICs to join the International Zero-Carbon Island Cooperation Initiative.

China will deepen cooperation with PICs on disaster prevention, mitigation and response and provide disaster monitoring and early warning technology and services, post-disaster emergency supplies assistance, emergency humanitarian assistance and disaster assessment support.

China fully understands the importance of marine environment to PICs. China will support PICs in protecting the marine ecological environment, improving the infrastructure and capacity to respond to sea level rising, coastal erosion and marine disasters, and carrying out studies and exchanges on the impact of sea level rising on islands.

In the joint statement adopted by the meeting, China reiterated its policy on developing relations with Pacific Island Countries put forth by President Xi Jinping: fully respecting the sovereignty and independence of Pacific Island Countries, fully respecting the will of Pacific Island Countries, fully respecting the ethnic and cultural traditions of Pacific Island Countries, and fully respecting Pacific Island Countries’ efforts to seek strength through unity. China stressed that there are no political strings attached to China’s assistance, no imposing one’s will onto others, and no empty promises.

All parties agreed on the importance of upholding humanity’s common values of peace, development, equity, justice, democracy, freedom, and respect for international law. Countries, regardless of size, strength, and wealth, are all equal. The sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries must be respected, countries’ development paths chosen by the people independently based on their respective national conditions must be respected, and the principle of non-interference in each other’s internal affairs must be observed.

All parties agreed to continue to promote synergy between high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent to make greater contributions to regional prosperity and development. All parties agreed to set cooperation priorities in accordance with each country’s national conditions within the China-Pacific Island Countries cooperation platforms and frameworks including on reserves of emergency supplies, climate action, poverty alleviation and development, disaster prevention and mitigation, Juncao technology, agriculture, and police training.

All parties are ready to work together to make positive contributions to the peace, development and stability of the Pacific region. They remain firmly committed to the international nuclear non-proliferation regime with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons as the cornerstone and to the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty.

All parties are fully aware of the significance of the management and conservation of the Pacific Ocean and its resources to the sustainable development of Pacific Island Countries, and acknowledge the vulnerability of Pacific Island Countries in the face of the adverse impact of climate change. All parties believe that the principles of equity, common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities should be upheld, and agreed to jointly promote the full and effective implementation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Paris Agreement.

At a press conference following the meeting, in response to a question about China’s specific measures, Wang Yi said that in the face of global climate change, human society must unite in response. He expressed deep regret over the withdrawal of a certain major country from the Paris Agreement. Regardless of changing circumstances, China’s determination to support and participate in leading global climate governance will not change, nor will its actions to proactively implement South-South cooperation on climate change.

He noted that as a progressive and constructive force in the international community, China will firmly stand on the side of the vast number of developing countries and remain a trustworthy, reliable and warm-hearted good friend and partner of the countries in the Global South, including PICs.

Outlining the consensus reached by the meeting, he highlighted the need to:

Advocate for equal treatment. China consistently upholds the principle that all countries, regardless of size, are equal.

Advocate for common development. 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.

Advocate for fairness and justice. Both sides 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 core, as well as to defend the multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organisation at its core, and protect the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries.

Advocate for openness and inclusiveness. When developing relations with PICs, it is important to prioritise the most urgent issues, such as addressing climate change, promoting economic development, improving people’s livelihoods and maintaining social stability.

Advocate for mutual learning. Both sides should continue to carry forward the traditional friendship and emotional bond between China and PICs, jointly implement the Global Civilisation Initiative, further strengthen exchanges and cooperation 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 civilisation.

China also released a 12-point list of measures for it to implement the consensus reached at the meeting.

The following articles were originally published on the website of the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

China and Pacific Island Countries Successfully Hold the Third Foreign Ministers’ Meeting

May 28 (MFA) — On May 28, 2025, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and President and Foreign Minister of Kiribati Taneti Maamau co-chaired the Third China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Xiamen. Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Niue Dalton Tagelagi, Crown Prince and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Tonga Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Federated States of Micronesia Lorin S. Robert, Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade of Solomon Islands Peter Shanel Agovaka, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and External Trade of Vanuatu Marc Ati, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Papua New Guinea Justin Tkatchenko, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration of the Cook Islands Tingika Elikana, former President and incumbent Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade of Nauru Russ Joseph Kun, Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Fiji Lenora Salusalu Qereqeretabua, representative of the government of Samoa Luamanuvae A. Mariner, and Deputy Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Esala Nayasi attended the meeting.

Wang Yi said 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, setting a model for peaceful coexistence between countries of different sizes and serving as an example for seeking development through unity among the Global South.

Wang Yi made a six-point suggestion on building a community with a shared future between China and PICs:

First, uphold mutual respect. China will firmly defend the basic norm in international relations of non-interference in other countries’ internal affairs, and resolutely support PICs in safeguarding their sovereignty, security, and development interests. The Taiwan question is China’s internal affair. Taiwan’s restoration to China is a victorious outcome of World War II and an integral part of the post-war international order. The historical and legal fact therein brooks no challenge, and the authority of United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 brooks no challenge. China believes that PICs will continue to abide by the one-China principle and support China’s just position.

Second, prioritize development. China is ready to work with PICs to jointly implement the Global Development Initiative and further advance the high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. Efforts will be made to accelerate negotiations on bilateral free trade agreements, strengthen cooperation in agricultural and fishery technology demonstration and training, and expand cooperation on tourism. China supports PICs in enhancing police capacity building.

Third, adopt a people-centered approach. China is ready to strengthen experience sharing with PICs in poverty alleviation and primary-level governance. Within this year, 200 “small yet smart” livelihood programs will be implemented, and 7 groups of 56 medical personnel, as well as additional Traditional Chinese Medicine doctors, will be dispatched to further contribute to the well-being of the people in PICs.

Fourth, promote exchange and mutual learning. Both sides should enhance people-to-people exchanges in areas such as media, youth, women, and sports, and maintain close and frequent interactions like relatives. China is ready to carry out joint archaeology and research on the Austronesian language family with PICs, expand exchanges and cooperation on cultural heritage protection, explore the establishment of a think tank dialogue mechanism, and support the sustainable development of PICs.

Fifth, safeguard fairness and justice. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War and the founding of the United Nations. People around the world look forward to a more civilized, prosperous, and progressive era. China is ready to work with PICs to firmly safeguard the international system with the United Nations at its core and the international order based on international law.

Sixth, maintain solidarity in challenging times. China is ready to enhance coordination and cooperation with PICs in global climate governance, promote the full and effective implementation of the Paris Agreement, uphold the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, and urge developed countries to provide funding, technology, and capacity-building support to developing countries. China stays committed to assisting PICs in strengthening climate resilience within the framework of South-South cooperation.

Wang Yi stressed that the world today is far from tranquil, with resurfacing hegemonism and power politics as well as resurging unilateralism and protectionism. In the face of changes of the times and history, China firmly believes that peace, development, cooperation, and win-win outcomes remain the only right choice. China is committed to safeguarding world peace, contributing to global development, and upholding international order. China steadfastly stands on the side of international fairness and justice, the right side of history, and the side of the vast number of developing countries, and consistently acts as a trustworthy and reliable partner for Global South countries. The vastness of the Pacific Ocean lies in its capacity to embrace all rivers without rejecting small streams, and the progress of human civilization depends on pooling strength to overcome difficulties together. China is ready to join hands with all parties to write a new chapter in building a community with a shared future between China and PICs.

The foreign side highly appreciated the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind, the “four full respects” principle, and the three major global initiatives proposed by President Xi Jinping. They expressed gratitude for China’s long-term valuable support for the development of PICs. PICs cherish their friendship with China. Cooperation with China is based on mutual respect, mutual trust, mutual understanding, and sovereign equality; it is an independent decision of PICs, serves the fundamental interests of PICs, and contributes to maintaining regional peace, stability, development and prosperity. The foreign side unanimously reaffirmed their firm commitment to the one-China principle and their support for China in safeguarding its national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and emphasized the authority of United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758. They looked forward to learning from China’s experience in sustainable development, the blue economy, disaster prevention and mitigation, cultural heritage protection, and other aspects, deepening cooperation in infrastructure, climate change, medical and health care, green development, economy, trade and investment, among other fields, and advancing high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. PICs are willing to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with China, uphold multilateralism, maintain the basic norms governing international relations, and jointly build a peaceful and prosperous Pacific region.

All parties unanimously adopted the Joint Statement of the Third China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. The Chinese side also released a list of measures to implement the consensus of this foreign ministers’ meeting, including China’s Initiative on Deepening Cooperation with Pacific Island Countries on Combating Climate Change.

China’s Initiative on Deepening Cooperation with Pacific Island Countries on Combating Climate Change

May 28 (MFA) — Climate change is a common challenge faced by humanity and bears on the future of all mankind. The international community should work together to tackle the challenge, protect planet Earth which is our common home, and build a community of life for man and nature. The Pacific Island region is one of the regions most severely affected by climate change. As an important partner of Pacific Island Countries (PICs), China is all along committed to helping and supporting the region in addressing climate change under the framework of South-South cooperation as much as its capabilities permit. To further assist PICs in strengthening climate response and resilience and deepen climate cooperation with PICs, China proposes the following:

1. China will stand firmly with PICs to uphold true multilateralism. The two sides will jointly commemorate the 10th anniversary of the conclusion of the Paris Agreement, recognizing the good progress made since the agreement came into force. China will work with PICs to build a global climate governance system featuring fairness, equity and win-win cooperation. Reaffirming that the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (hereinafter referred to as “the Convention”) and its Paris Agreement are the main channel and basic legal framework for international cooperation on climate change, China stays committed to their goals, principles and rules and guided by the principles of equity, common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities established in the Convention, China will work with all parties for the sound implementation of the Convention and its Paris Agreement, and for a positive outcome of the 30th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP30) to the Convention.

2. China will enhance coordination and cooperation with PICs in the multilateral climate response process. China will encourage the international community to fully understand the special situation and concerns of developing countries, especially PICs, on the issue of climate change. China will urge developed countries to earnestly fulfill their obligations and commitments, provide adequate funding, technology and capacity-building support to developing countries, and particularly implement the decision adopted at COP29 on the new collective quantified goal (NCQG) for climate finance, to jointly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries including PICs. China opposes unilateral restrictive measures and green trade barriers in the name of tackling climate change.

3. China will firmly support PICs in addressing climate change through sustainable development. Fully recognizing the vulnerability of PICs’ economic and social development in the face of the climate crisis, China announced that it will allocate US$2 million for the further expansion of cooperation with PICs in such areas as clean energy, agriculture, fishery, ocean, low-carbon infrastructure, low-carbon tourism, and disaster prevention and mitigation, to help PICs improve their energy structure, advance industrial upgrading, and strengthen capabilities in achieving the U.N. 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals, so as to better respond to climate change.

4. China will speed up the implementation of cooperation programs on climate change response. Efforts will be made to promote the establishment of low-carbon demonstration zones, carry out capacity-building training programs to support PICs in cultivating professional personnel, and strengthen the leading role of South-South cooperation projects in enhancing PICs’ capacity to address climate change. China will make full use of the China-PICs Climate Change Cooperation Center to enhance communication and cooperation with PICs, and continue to hold the China-PICs climate change dialogue and seminars on climate resilience building for PICs. In the next three years, China will conduct 100 small and beautiful projects for the local communities in PICs to help them improve climate resilience. China welcomes more PICs to join the International Zero-Carbon Island Cooperation Initiative.

5. China will deepen cooperation with PICs on disaster prevention, mitigation and response. China supports the U.N. Early Warnings for All initiative, and will share early warning technologies and practices with PICs and provide high-frequency meteorological disaster monitoring through FENGYUN meteorological satellites, as set out in the China’s Action Plan on Early Warning for Climate Change Adaptation (2025-2027). China will strengthen disaster management cooperation with PICs under the China-PICs disaster management cooperation mechanism, and leverage the Center for Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Cooperation to provide disaster monitoring and early warning technology and services, post-disaster emergency supplies assistance, emergency humanitarian assistance and disaster assessment support, and establish demonstration communities of enhanced comprehensive disaster mitigation capacity, so as to improve climate resilience of PICs.

6. China fully understands the importance of marine environment to PICs. China will support PICs in protecting the marine ecological environment, improving the infrastructure and capacity to respond to sea level rising, coastal erosion and marine disasters, and carrying out studies and exchanges on the impact of sea level rising on islands. China will expand cooperation with PICs in such areas as the sustainable utilization of resources in coastal zones as well as the protection, restoration and governance of coastal zones. China will make full use of its technological and human resource strengths in marine environment observation and forecast, disaster early warning and the protection and restoration of marine ecological systems to help PICs with marine disaster prevention and mitigation. China will support PICs in the sustainable development of fishery and offshore aquaculture and assist them in fostering a blue economy with climate resilience.

Joint Statement of the Third China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers’ Meeting

May 28 (MFA) — From May 28 to 29, 2025, the People’s Republic of China and Pacific Island Countries having diplomatic relations with China (hereinafter referred to as “All parties”) held the third China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. The meeting was chaired by Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi. President and Foreign Minister Taneti Maamau of Kiribati, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Dalton Tagelagi of Niue, Crown Prince and Minister for Foreign Affairs Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala of Tonga, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Lorin S. Robert of the Federated States of Micronesia, Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade Peter Shanel Agovaka of Solomon Islands, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and External Trade Marc Ati of Vanuatu, Minister for Foreign Affairs Justin Tkatchenko of Papua New Guinea, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Tingika Elikana of the Cook Islands, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Russ Kun of Nauru, Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Deputy Speaker of the Parliament Lenora Salusalu Qereqeretabua of Fiji, and Representative of the Samoan Government and Ambassador of Samoa to China Luamanuvae A. Mariner attended the meeting. Deputy Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Esala Nayasi attended the meeting upon invitation on behalf of the Secretary General. All parties had an in-depth exchange of views and reached broad consensus on China-Pacific Island Countries relations and issues of common interest.

1. All parties reviewed the positive progress made in China-Pacific Island Countries relations in recent years and reaffirmed their commitment to deepening their comprehensive strategic partnership that features mutual respect and common development, and to building an even closer China-Pacific Island Countries community with a shared future.

2. China reiterated its policy on developing relations with Pacific Island Countries put forth by President Xi Jinping: fully respecting the sovereignty and independence of Pacific Island Countries, fully respecting the will of Pacific Island Countries, fully respecting the ethnic and cultural traditions of Pacific Island Countries, and fully respecting Pacific Island Countries’ efforts to seek strength through unity. China stressed that there is no political strings attached to China’s assistance, no imposing one’s will onto others, and no empty promises. China called on all countries to uphold Pacific Island Countries’ autonomy in making decisions, putting development first, and staying open and inclusive when developing relations with Pacific Island Countries. Pacific Island Countries all support and welcome this.

3. All parties agreed on the importance of upholding humanity’s common values of peace, development, equity, justice, democracy, freedom, and respect for international law. Countries, regardless of size, strength, and wealth, are all equal. The sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries must be respected, countries’ development paths chosen by the people independently based on their respective national conditions must be respected, and the principle of non-interference in each other’s internal affairs must be observed.

All parties reaffirmed their mutual understanding and mutual support on issues concerning their respective core interests and major concerns. All parties recognize that there is but one China in the world, that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory, and that the government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China. China firmly opposes “Taiwan independence” in all forms and commits to realizing national reunification, which has gained wide understanding and support at the meeting. All parties stressed the authority of the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758. China firmly supports Pacific Island Countries in upholding their sovereignty and independence.

5. Pacific Island Countries 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 welcomes more Pacific Island Countries to join the Group of Friends of the Global Development Initiative, to help accelerate the implementation of the U.N. 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. All parties called on the international community to provide Pacific Island Countries with more technological, financial and humanitarian support to help them achieve independent and sustainable development. China stated that it will continue to support and assist Pacific Island Countries as it can in economic development and livelihood improvement.

6. All parties agreed to continue to promote synergy between high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent to make greater contributions to regional prosperity and development. All parties agreed to set cooperation priorities in accordance with each country’s national conditions within the China-Pacific Island Countries cooperation platforms and frameworks including on reserves of emergency supplies, climate action, poverty alleviation and development, disaster prevention and mitigation, Juncao technology, agriculture, and police training. All parties agreed to strengthen exchanges and cooperation in such areas as education, culture, tourism, health and media, and expand sub-national exchanges. All parties agreed to explore the economic viability of additional direct flights to Pacific Island Countries.

7. All parties recognize the important role of trade in economic development of Pacific Island Countries and commit to further strengthening and enhancing their trade cooperation through supply side capacity building, trade promotion, and market access of Pacific Island Countries’ products into China.

8. All parties are ready to work together to make positive contributions to the peace, development and stability of the Pacific region. They remain firmly committed to the international nuclear non-proliferation regime with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons as the cornerstone and to the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty.

9. All parties are fully aware of the significance of the management and conservation of the Pacific Ocean and its resources to the sustainable development of Pacific Island Countries, and acknowledge the vulnerability of Pacific Island Countries in the face of the adverse impact of climate change. All parties believe that the principles of equity, common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities should be upheld, and agreed to jointly promote the full and effective implementation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Paris Agreement. All parties call for advanced economies to provide leadership on climate change mitigation and resilience initiatives at the international level. China, within the framework of South-South cooperation, is committed to providing assistance and support to Pacific Island Countries’ climate response within its capabilities.

Wang Yi: Unite to Address Global Climate Change

May 28 (MFA) — On May 28, 2025, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi co-chaired the Third China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers’ Meeting with President and Foreign Minister of Kiribati Taneti Maamau in Xiamen. After the meeting, Wang Yi and Taneti Maamau jointly met the press and answered questions.

In response to a reporter’s question about China’s specific measures to address climate change, Wang Yi said that in the face of global climate change, human society must unite in response. He expressed deep regret over the withdrawal of certain major country from the Paris Agreement. Regardless of changing circumstances, China’s determination to support and participate in leading global climate governance will not change, nor will its actions to proactively implement South-South cooperation on climate change.

Wang Yi pointed out that China empathizes with the unique situation of Pacific Island Countries (PICs) in addressing climate change. Over the years, under the framework of South-South cooperation, China has undertaken a lot of practical efforts to assist PICs in enhancing their capacity to address climate change. China has provided PICs with a large number of energy-saving air conditioners and solar photovoltaic power generation systems, trained talents for PICs to tackle climate change, and effectively supported PICs in strengthening their climate resilience.

Wang Yi said that China will issue an initiative on deepening cooperation with PICs on combating climate change, pledging to allocate new funds and expand cooperation with PICs in the field of sustainable development. In the next three years, China will conduct 100 “small yet smart” projects on addressing climate change for PICs. China supports PICs in protecting the marine ecological environment, responding to sea level rising, coastal erosion and marine disasters, and is willing to share early warning technologies to help PICs prevent and mitigate disasters. China will continue to give full play to the role of cooperation mechanisms such as the China-PICs Climate Change Cooperation Center, Center for Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Cooperation, and Reserve of Emergency Supplies, to make Chinese contributions to PICs’ response to climate change.

Wang Yi noted that as a progressive and constructive force in the international community, China will firmly stand on the side of the vast number of developing countries and remain a trustworthy, reliable and warm-hearted good friend and partner of the countries in the Global South, including PICs.

Wang Yi on the Consensus Reached at the Third China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers’ Meeting

When meeting the press with Taneti Maamau after the Third China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, Wang Yi said that this Foreign Ministers’ Meeting was held offline for the first time in China since the establishment of the China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers’ Meeting mechanism in 2021. Fujian, as the starting point of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, shares deep historical ties with Pacific Island Countries (PICs). Twenty-five years ago, during his tenure in Fujian, President Xi Jinping personally promoted cooperation between China and PICs. Among the outcomes, the Juncao project has become a shining hallmark of bilateral cooperation on sustainable development. Holding the meeting in Xiamen is of great significance.

Wang Yi pointed out that all parties attending the meeting, in accordance with the consensus reached by President Xi Jinping and the leaders of PICs, had in-depth exchanges focusing on how to advance bilateral cooperation as well as international and regional issues of common interest and concern, and reached consensus in five aspects.

First, advocate for equal treatment. 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, that is, China fully respects the sovereignty and independence of PICs, fully respects their will, fully respects their cultural traditions and fully respects their effort to seek strength through unity. China appreciates that PICs have proactively reaffirmed their commitment to the one-China principle and have expressed their understanding and support for China’s legitimate rights to safeguard its national sovereignty and territorial integrity. On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the victory in World War II and the 80th anniversary of the return of Taiwan to China, PICs’ commitment is just in time. This shows that there is no market for “Taiwan independence” in PICs. China will work with PICs to continue supporting each other and safeguarding their respective core interests and major concerns.

Second, advocate for common development. 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. China will provide more convenience for the export of quality products from PICs to China, enabling PICs to share the benefits of China’s vast market.

Third, advocate for fairness and justice. Both sides 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 core, 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.

Fourth, advocate for openness and inclusiveness. 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.

Fifth, advocate for mutual learning. The Chinese civilization and the unique marine civilization of PICs are precious world heritages. Both sides should continue to carry forward the traditional friendship and emotional bond between China and PICs, jointly implement the Global Civilization Initiative, further strengthen exchanges and cooperation 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.

List of Measures for China to Implement the Consensus of the Third China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers’ Meeting

May 28 (MFA) — From May 28 to 29, 2025, the Third China-Pacific Island Countries (PICs) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting was held in Xiamen, Fujian Province. The participating parties had an in-depth exchange of views on China-PICs relations and issues of mutual interest, and reached broad consensus. The meeting released the Joint Statement of the Third China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. China has prepared a list of measures to implement the consensus reached at the meeting:

1. Climate response: release China’s Initiative on Deepening Cooperation with Pacific Island Countries on Combating Climate Change, which includes allocating US$2 million for climate change cooperation with PICs;

Media: hold “China in My Eyes” video competition for the PICs within this year.

Disaster response cooperation: establish a mechanism on China-PICs disaster management cooperation;

Maritime cooperation: release China’s Initiative on Strengthening Practical Maritime Cooperation with PICs;

Small and beautiful programs: implement 200 small and beautiful livelihood programs in PICs within this year;

FTA negotiation: speed up bilateral FTA negotiations with the relevant PICs;

Agriculture and fishery cooperation: continue agricultural technical assistance programs, build demonstration bases on high-yield rice, demonstration fields on high-efficiency and large-scale tuber planting technology, and demonstration bases on vegetable plantation in the relevant PICs, and advance offshore aquaculture cooperation;

Police and law enforcement cooperation: hold the fourth Ministerial Dialogue on Police Capacity Building and Cooperation Between China and PICs within this year;

Scholarship and human resource training: provide 274 scholarships to PICs in the 2025/2026 school year, and 500 huamn resource training opportunities to PICs within 2025;

Medical cooperation: send 7 groups of 56 medical personnel to PICs within this year, expand exchange and cooperation on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), continue sending additional TCM doctors to PICs, carry out free medical treatment programs in PICs including the “Brightness Action” and “Urology Action” for cataract and urological patients within this year;

Cultural and tourism cooperation: launch a China blue Pacific tourism promotion initiative for PICs, 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;

Think tank dialogue: explore the establishment of a China-PICs think tank dialogue mechanism;

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