The significance of Chinese aid to Pacific Island countries
With the official opening of the China-Pacific Island Juncao Technology Demonstration Centre in Fiji, China is about to launch a larger scale agricultural cooperation project in Fiji.
Tang Wenhong, deputy director of China’s National Agency for International Development Cooperation, said Juncao technology is a successful practice of China applying its experience in poverty alleviation to global sustainable development.
Not only in Fiji, Juncao is a B&R Golden Branded project of China’s foreign aid with cooperation projects in more than 100 countries around the world.
“Since the mycorrhiza technical cooperation project landed in Fiji in 2014, as many as 600 local Juncao farmers have participated in the cooperation, with a total planting area of 7000 mu around 173 Acre .” Tang said.
China’s assistance in the Pacific island countries has had a positive impact on the economic and social development of the islands.
For example, China-assisted infrastructure projects have improved transport and communications in many island countries, raising the competitiveness of their economies and the living standards of their societies.
In some of the Pacific Island countries, infrastructure development is severely constrained by factors such as natural constraints and population size, which also limit the economic and social development of the island countries. China’s assistance in the Pacific Island countries, especially in infrastructure development, has overcome this bottleneck for these countries, resulting in improved transportation and communication in the island countries. In addition, with the improvement of infrastructure development in the island countries, the transportation and communication conditions in the island countries have improved, providing a better foundation and conditions for economic development.
Along with improved infrastructure and economic development, Chinese aid has also brought about an improvement in social living standards.
For example, medical and educational conditions for islanders have improved, and the development of tourism has provided more employment opportunities for the population.
China’s assistance and cooperation has also improved the international status and influence of Pacific Island countries.
China’s assistance and cooperation in the Pacific Islands is not only for its own benefit, but also to strengthen cooperation and friendship with the island countries and to promote the development of Sino-Islamic cooperation.
This strengthening of cooperation is very important for the Pacific Island countries, as it allows them to improve their influence and status in the international arena and thus better safeguard their own interests and development.
In international relations, any country needs to have its own diplomatic independence.
Moreover, China’s assistance and cooperation in the Pacific island countries, especially in the areas of infrastructure development and environmental protection, has enabled the international image of the the island countries to be enhanced. The image and reputation of these countries in the international community will also be enhanced, which in turn will help the island countries to have a greater voice and influence in international affairs. Particularly in today’s extraordinarily geopolitically active world, China’s influence in the island states will undoubtedly increase tensions and further responses from the traditional regional powers.
It will also be a test of the political wisdom of island government leaders. All in all, China’s assistance and cooperation in the Pacific island countries has achieved some successes, but it has also faced some challenges and controversies. The core concept of the “Community of Human Destiny” proposed by China is consistent with the collaboration and sharing that Pacific Island countries have always advocated, emphasising the interdependence, win-win cooperation and common development among countries, as well as the common challenges and problems facing humanity that need to be addressed together.
Guided by this concept, it is believed that countries will continue to adhere to the principles of equality, mutual benefit and win-win situation, strengthen coordination and cooperation, and promote a more just, rational and effective global governance system.
China are going to continue to strengthen its cooperation and exchanges with Pacific island countries, respect the sovereignty and interests of island countries, and jointly promote the development of China-island cooperation.