Wang Yi: Respect nations’ integrity

CHINESE Foreign Minister Wang Yi says all countries need to respect others ‘sovereignty and territorial integrity, and not interfere in others’ internal affairs.

He said this while delivering a joint media statement with Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama following Monday’s China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Suva.

“These are basic norms governing international relations and together we will safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of all developing countries, in particular small and medium sized countries,” Mr Yi said.

In terms of the outcomes of discussions with 10 Pacific island countries (PICs) at the forum, he said China would try to “shape more consensus” through a position paper and further dialogue.

Mr Yi said the paper would outline China’s own positions, prepositions and cooperation proposals with PICs.

“Going forward we will continue to have ongoing and in-depth discussions and consultations to shape more consensus on cooperation,” he said.

Mr Yi said the 10 PICs who shared diplomatic relations with

China reached consensus in five areas.

These included deepening comprehensive strategic partnerships, supporting each country’s sovereignty, independence and national dignity, pursuing common development and prosperity, advocating true multilateralism, and promoting people to people connectivity.

He said China was not a newcomer but an old friend of PICs and the fast progress of relations between China and PICs did not come out of thin air, but materialised in due course with the right conditions.

“China and PICs will continue to support each other and help each other to firmly safeguard each other’s core interests and major concerns and continue to strengthen and expand our comprehensive strategic partnership.”

Mr Yi said development was a shared mission of China and PICs committed to its Belt and Road Initiative, and together they would jointly tackle challenges like COVID-19 and achieve economic recovery.

“China will continue to provide assistance to PICs with no political strings attached and we will continue to help PICs and build greater capacity for self-driven development.”