Chinese FM underlines 'four upholdings' in ties with Pacific island countries

Visiting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Thursday that China will continue "the four upholdings" in developing its relations with the Pacific island countries.

At a joint press conference with Solomon Islands Foreign Minister Jeremiah Manele, Wang said the China-Solomon Islands relations have made unprecedented headway in recent years, which has brought tangible benefits to the people in the region.

Wang highlighted China's four practices of upholding equal treatment, mutual respect, win-win cooperation, openness and inclusiveness in developing its ties with the Pacific island countries.

Firstly, upholding equal treatment. China has always believed that countries, big or small, are equal, and regards Pacific island countries as an important part of the South-South cooperation and major partners in building a community with shared future for mankind.

Secondly, upholding mutual respect. China has always respected sovereignty and territorial integrity of Pacific island countries, as well as their efforts to explore a development path suited to their own national conditions.

China has never interfered in the internal affairs of Pacific island countries. The country neither attached political strings, nor sought any geographical selfish interests in dealing with the island countries.

Thirdly, upholding win-win cooperation. China will continue to be the advocate, builder and promoter of the development of the Pacific island countries and devoted to deepening pragmatic cooperation with the island countries in all fields.

China will as always sincerely help the Pacific island countries develop economy, improve the wellbeing of their people, boost their capacity of self-development and share the dividends with the Pacific island countries brought by China's development.

Fourthly, upholding openness and inclusiveness. The South Pacific region should serve as a stage for cooperation, not a arena for destructive competition. China's cooperation with the Pacific island countries does not target any country and it should not be disrupted by any country.

China respects the contacts the Pacific island countries have already established with other countries. China, acing in the spirit of openness, is ready to conduct the third party market cooperation with other countries in and outside the region.