China, Pacific Islands work together on climate issue

China and Pacific Island nations should make deeper collaboration within the framework of South-South cooperation to tackle climate change challenges, a forum has heard.

Speaking at a high-level dialogue in Apia, Samoa, on Tuesday, Toeolesulusulu Cedric Schuster, Samoa's minister for natural resources, environment and lands, said that for the Pacific, climate change is not an abstract scientific projection but a daily reality.

The event was co-hosted by Liaocheng University in Shandong province and the National University of Samoa.

Toeolesulusulu said tangible cooperation is already taking shape between Samoa and China, including the agreement on the establishment of the International Mangrove Center, to which Samoa is a signatory, and training programs under the China-proposed Belt and Road International Cooperation Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and Emergency Management.

China is a firm proponent of low-carbon emissions and reduction, and an active promoter of green development, taking concrete actions with Pacific Island nations in regard to addressing climate change, Chinese Ambassador to Samoa Fei Mingxing stressed at the event.

"In the next three years, China will conduct 100 small and beautiful projects for the local communities in Pacific Island countries to help them improve climate resilience," Fei said.

China's Special Envoy for Pacific Island Countries Affairs Qian Bo delivered a video speech, and the attendees expressed hopes for deeper collaboration within the framework of South-South cooperation to address the challenges.

In May, China proposed the "Initiative on Deepening Cooperation with Pacific Island Countries on Combating Climate Change" during the Third China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers' Meeting.

Currently, cooperation on clean energy and offshore farming is under discussion between China and Pacific Island nations. "These outcomes will assist in fostering a blue economy with climate resilience," Fei said.

Efforts will also be made to promote the establishment of low-carbon demonstration zones, and carry out training programs to support Pacific Island nations in cultivating professional personnel.