Xi Jinping meets Vanuatu Prime Minister Charlot Salwai

On the afternoon of July 12, 2024, President Xi Jinping met with Vanuatu Prime Minister Charlot Salwai, who is on an official visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke highly of Charlot Salwai's important role in promoting the development of China-Vanuatu relations over the years. Noting that Vanuatu is a good friend and partner of China in the Pacific Islands region, Xi Jinping said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations 42 years ago, the friendship between the two countries has been growing steadily, and the two countries have always firmly supported each other on issues concerning their respective core interests. China attaches great importance to the development of China-Vanuatu relations and stands ready to work with Vanuatu to further deepen high-level political mutual trust, promote high-quality cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, and strengthen friendly cooperation at all levels to jointly build a China-Vanuatu community with a shared future in the new era. China is willing to exchange experience in state governance with Vanuatu, share development opportunities brought by China's modernization, and enhance the synergy of development strategies. China is willing to deepen practical cooperation with Vanuatu in infrastructure, economy, trade and investment, climate change mitigation and other areas, and encourages its enterprises to invest and cooperate in Vanuatu. China will continue to provide Vanuatu with economic and technical assistance without any political conditions to help Vanuatu continue its path of development and prosperity.

Xi Jinping stressed that China advocates equality among countries regardless of their size, and adheres to the principle of combining justice with interests while giving priority to justice. China does not seek competition among major powers or geopolitical spheres of influence. It does not interfere in other countries' internal affairs or force them to take sides. China always stands on the right side of history, on the side of fairness and justice. China is a promoter and contributor to peaceful coexistence and common development in the Pacific island region. China's vote at the United Nations is always in favor of the well-being of developing countries. China views and values ​​its relations with Pacific island countries from the perspective of building a community with a shared future for mankind. China is ready to continue to provide assistance to the best of its ability for the economic and social development and improvement of people's livelihoods in island countries, supporting them in their efforts to accelerate their efforts to achieve independent and sustainable development goals.

Charlot Salwai said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vanuatu and China 42 years ago, bilateral relations have maintained sound and strong development. Charlot Salwai expressed admiration for China's remarkable achievements in development, national unity and stability, as well as continuous efforts for national rejuvenation through Chinese modernization under the outstanding leadership of President Xi Jinping. The three global initiatives and the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind put forward by President Xi Jinping are of great significance to safeguarding international fairness and justice and promoting common development. China upholds the five principles of peaceful coexistence and treats small countries like Vanuatu as equals, which fully demonstrates equality and respect. The Vanuatu government firmly adheres to the one-China principle, regards Taiwan as an inalienable part of China's territory, and firmly supports all efforts of the Chinese government to realize national reunification. It resolutely opposes “Taiwan independence” in any form and firmly supports China's position on issues related to Xinjiang, Hong Kong, Xizang, human rights and the South China Sea. Vanuatu hopes to learn from China's experience in state governance, seek greater synergy of development strategies with China, and promote practical cooperation in infrastructure, economy, trade and other fields. Vanuatu is willing to work closely with China within the framework of international and multilateral cooperation to promote the building of a community with a shared future between Vanuatu and China.

The two sides issued a joint statement between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Vanuatu and agreed to strengthen the comprehensive strategic partnership to build a China-Vanuatu community with a shared future in the new era.

Wang Yi was present at the meeting.