China reaffirms friendship, cooperation with Pacific island countries

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Federated States of Micronesia President Emanuel Mori in Nadi, Fiji, Nov 22, 2014. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei)

Chinese President Xi Jinping reaffirmed China's traditional friendship with Pacific island countries Saturday, pledging continued support and assistance to those countries in developing economy, building infrastructural facilities and tackling climate change. [Special coverage]

While holding separate meetings with leaders of some Pacific island countries that have diplomatic ties with China, Xi, who is on his first state visit to Fiji, sent clear signals of enhancing bilateral friendly cooperation.

China believes that all countries are equal members of the international community irrespective of their size, strength and wealth, and they should respect each other, treat each other on an equal footing and help each other with sincerity, Xi told Emanuel Mori, president of the Federated States of Micronesia.

China respects the development path the Micronesian people have chosen themselves and is willing to maintain exchanges with Micronesia at different levels, Xi said.

He said that China stands ready to strengthen exchanges with Micronesia on governance experience, consolidate cooperation in fishery, new energy, infrastructure construction, economy and technology, and boost people-to-people and cultural exchanges, he said.

China supports the effort of Micronesia to address climate change, he added.

Mori said that the Micronesia-China relationship has made considerable progress since the establishment of diplomatic ties 25 years ago, and the bilateral cooperation has greatly boosted Micronesia's economic development and people's livelihood.

Micronesia will remain committed to the One China policy and hopes to enhance political, economic, people-to-people and cultural exchanges and cooperation with China, he said.

Micronesia appreciates China's recent publication of post-2020 actions on climate change and thanks China for its understanding and support for small island countries' concerns, he added.