Xi's South Pacific tour promotes ties, free trade, China's image

Chinese President Xi Jinping's three-nation South Pacific tour and attendance at a Group of 20 summit enhanced political and economic partnerships and improved China's image as a peace-loving country. [Special coverage]

Xi attended the 9th G20 Summit in Brisbane of Australia and paid state visits to Australia, New Zealand and Fiji.

During the trip, China elevated relations with Australia and New Zealand to comprehensive strategic partnerships. Such a lift mean more exchanges, dialogues and cooperation, thus bringing more benefits to the Asia-Pacific region and the world at large.

The fruitful trip also promoted the establishment of a strategic partnership between China and eight South Pacific countries, featuring mutual respect and common development.

The promotion of ties with Pacific island countries is in line with China's overall diplomacy.

Beijing, as a responsible stakeholder in the world, is ready to develop friendly cooperative partnerships with all countries on the basis of equality, mutual respect and win-win cooperation.

In the economic field, Xi's speech at the G20 summit and the practical conclusion of negotiations on a free trade agreement between China and Australia will boost regional economic integration against the backdrop of rising trade and investment protectionism.

Xi called on all G20 members to build an open global economy, safeguard multilateral trade systems, and improve global economic governance, which will contribute to building a fair, just, inclusive and orderly international financial system.

At the G20 summit, the Chinese president also pledged to increase global infrastructure investment via such initiatives as the Silk Road Economic Belt and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.

On the one hand, facilitating infrastructure construction can help boost regional economic integration and generate growth. On the other hand, convenient transportation and improved infrastructure will benefit free trade and economic development.

Xi's trip also presented the outcomes of China's economic reform and demonstrated China's willingness to make greater contribution to the global economy.

Likening his country to a "big guy in the crowd" that draws attention and concern, Xi said the world's most populous nation will continue to pursue peaceful development.

In a speech at the Australian Federal Parliament he reaffirmed China's resolve to pursue peaceful and common development and to promote cooperation and development in the Asia-Pacific.

Xi's South Pacific tour, hailed as a new milestone in China's diplomacy, has presented a historic opportunity for both sides to further tap cooperation potential, and projected a positive image of China that sticks to peaceful development.