Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has emphasized that the South Pacific region should not become an arena for major power rivalry. During talks with Papua New Guinea’s Foreign Minister Justin Tkachenko in Port Moresby on Saturday, Wang stated that no country should consider any island nation in the region as its “backyard.”
“Countries should not seek zero-sum games or exclusive arrangements, but should do more practical things for island countries and bring more benefits to the people of island countries,” Wang said.
Wang Yi, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, stressed China’s commitment to mutual support, assistance, and common development with South Pacific island nations through exchanges and cooperation. He asserted that China does not seek any geopolitical interests of its own in the region.
He remarked that China has always viewed and valued Papua New Guinea from a strategic and long-term perspective. “China is ready to work with PNG to further implement the important common understandings reached by the leaders of the two countries to build a higher-level and higher-quality comprehensive strategic partnership,” Wang added.
China will continue to treat Papua New Guinea as an equal partner and firmly support its efforts in safeguarding sovereignty, independence, national unity, accelerating national revitalization, improving people’s livelihood, and playing a greater role in regional and multilateral affairs, Wang said.
He highlighted that Papua New Guinea is an important partner in the Belt and Road Initiative. China is willing to maintain high-level exchanges, initiate free trade agreement negotiations as soon as possible, and boost cooperation in various fields, including economy, trade, investment, infrastructure, agriculture, forestry and fisheries, clean energy, and climate change.
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Wang Yi says South Pacific isn't place for a major power rivalry
cgtn.com
