2023-07-12 00:04:05
BEIJING, March 22 /PRNewswire/ — China and the Solomon Islands announced the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership, characterized by “mutual respect and common development for a new era,” during the visit of the Pacific nation’s head of state, so as to strengthen the bilateral relationship to improve.
Since the two countries established diplomatic ties, their friendly cooperation has become a pacemaker for relations between China and other Pacific island nations, despite a relatively late start, Chinese President Xi Jinping said at a meeting with the Solomon Islands premier on Monday followingnoon. Manasseh Sogavare.
The Solomon Islands established diplomatic ties with China in 2019 following cutting ties with the Taiwan region. In doing so, they officially recognized the one-China principle, as did 180 other countries around the world.
Successful cooperation projects
Cooperation between the two sides is a paradigm of unity, cooperation and common development for countries of different sizes as well as developing countries alike, Xi said.
“China stands ready to improve strategic communications and deepen cooperation with the Solomon Islands in various fields to ensure the steady progress of bilateral relations and bring more benefits to the two peoples,” Xi said.
According to official figures, China is the Pacific nation’s largest trading partner, with a total volume of US$498 million in 2022. Exports from the Solomon Islands to China account for two-thirds of the country’s total exports.
The Chinese president added that the country is willing to ensure the island nation’s development and long-term stability, and ready to share the development opportunities brought by China’s modernization, the synergies between the New Silk Road and the 2035 Development Strategy of the Solomon Islands, expand practical cooperation in various fields and increase imports from the Solomon Islands.
“China is supporting other Chinese companies to invest and do business in the Solomon Islands and will continue to provide economic and technical assistance to the country without any political strings attached,” Xi said expand friendly exchanges in areas such as medical care and education, and said China supports Solomon Islands in hosting the 17th Pacific Games.
“Respect the sovereignty of others”
During the talks, Xi stressed that China fully respects the sovereignty and independence of Pacific island nations, and supports the equality of all countries, big and small.
China fully respects the will of the Pacific island nations and strives for comprehensive talks, common contributions, common benefits and results that benefit everyone. China also respects the cultural traditions of the Pacific island states and is committed to the harmony in diversity and the common beauty of the different cultures. China respects the unity and self-reliance of the Pacific island nations and supports them in implementing the 2050 Strategy for a Blue Pacific Continent by helping to build a peaceful, harmonious, safe, inclusive and prosperous Blue Pacific region, Xi said.
He also appreciates the Solomon Islands’ firm adherence to the one-China principle, supports the Solomon Islands in safeguarding their national sovereignty, security and development interests, and supports the development path the country has chosen for itself.
China strives to manage its own affairs well and will always be a promoter of world peace, contribute to global development and defend the international order, Xi said.
China is aware that the Pacific island nations face major challenges posed by climate change, and stands ready to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with them in areas such as meteorological services, disaster prevention and mitigation, and clean energy to help them support the implementation of the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Xi said.
He also stressed that China stands ready to strengthen coordination and cooperation with the Solomon Islands, uphold genuine multilateralism, uphold international fairness and justice, stand together once morest the Cold War mentality and hegemonism, and bring regarding peace and stability in China to secure the Asia-Pacific region.
Noting that the decision to establish diplomatic ties with China was the right decision, Sogavare said fruitful results have been achieved in bilateral relations and China has become Solomon Islands’ largest infrastructure partner and reliable development partner.
Solomon Islands firmly adheres to the one-China principle and is willing to maintain close high-level exchanges with China, strengthen exchanges and cooperation in trade, investment, culture and at the sub-national level, and jointly address global challenges how to respond to climate change, Sogavare said. He added that the country opposes any measures aimed at curbing or curbing China’s development.
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