China and Pacific are good friends: Spokesperson
China's Foreign Minister's visit to the Pacific, which includes Samoa will deepen friendly and cooperative relationship, according to China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Wang Wenbin.
From May 26 to June 4 China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi will visit eight Pacific Island Countries which are the Solomon Islands, Kiribati, Samoa, Fiji, Tonga, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, and Timor-Leste.
During the Ministry's Regular Press Conference on Wednesday, Reuters said that they have become aware of the fact China is looking to sign a region-wide deal which includes police and security cooperation.
Reuters had then asked the Spokesperson that some people fear this could spark a new Cold War between the East and the West, and was then asked what is China’s comment.
In response to the query from Reuters, Mr. Wang stated that Asia-Pacific, China and South Pacific Island countries are good friends and good partners pursuing common development on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit.
"This visit by State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi to the South Pacific aims to deepen the friendly and cooperative relationship between China and relevant countries, and contributes to peace, stability and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific," he said.
"I fully disagree with the sensational remarks by some people. I would like to take this opportunity to share with you some facts about China-PICs cooperation."
Mr. Wang explained that since the establishment of our diplomatic ties with the Pacific in the 1970s, the bilateral relations have made significant progress,
On Wednesday, China released the "Fact Sheet: Cooperation Between China and Pacific Island Countries", and the Spokesperson highlighted that China's exchange covers more than 20 areas including trade, investment, ocean affairs, environmental protection, disaster prevention and mitigation, poverty alleviation, health care, education, tourism, culture, sports and at the sub-national level.
"China has signed Belt and Road cooperation MOUs with all the 10 PICs having diplomatic relations with China, and has become an important trade partner and source of investment. From 1992 to 2021, the total trade volume between China and PICs having diplomatic relations with China grew at an average annual increase of 13% and expanding by over 30 times in 30 years," he said.
Mr. Wang also emphasised that China stays committed to providing economic and technical assistance to the Pacific Island Countries with no political strings attached.
"China has implemented more than 100 aid projects, delivered more than 200 batches of in-kind assistance, and trained about 10,000 talents in various fields.
He added that China has dispatched 600 medical staff to the Pacific and has also provided 600,000 doses of vaccines and more than 100 tons of anti-pandemic supplies.
"The exchange and cooperation between China and PICs are carried out in line with the principles of sincerity, real results, affinity and good faith, and on the basis of equal-footed consultation. It follows the principle of mutual benefits and pursues common development. With tangible outcomes, it has won wide support from the people of [Pacific Island Countries]
Mr. Wang stated that China and the Pacific are always good friends treating each other with sincerity and mutual respect, good partners pursuing common development and win-win results, and good brothers drawing on each other’s strength based on affinity and mutual understanding.
"Our two sides have set a good example of mutual support, solidarity and cooperation between countries of different size and with different systems," he said.