Port Vila, May 26th—Liu Jianchao, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, held a group meeting with leaders of major political parties of Vanuatu. Attendees included Seoule Simeon, President of the Laverwo Movement and Parliament Speaker; Jotham Napat, President of the Leaders Party of Vanuatu and Special Envoy on Ocean, Maritime Boundaries and Climate Diplomacy; Bob Loughman, President of the Vanua'aku Party, Minister of Tourism, Trade, Commerce, and former Prime Minister; Sato Kilman, Leader of the People's Progressive Party and former Prime Minister; Ishmael Kalsakau, President of the Union of Moderate Parties and former Prime Minister; Ulrich Sumptoh, Leader of the National United Party, Jay Ngwele, President of the Rural Development Party; and James Bule, Peoples Unity Development Party.  

Liu said, Vanuatu is a good friend, partner, and brother of China in the Pacific islands region. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, political mutual trust between the two countries has deepened, and cooperation in various fields has yielded fruitful results. The China-Vanuatu relations have become a model of mutual respect and collaboration between countries of different sizes. The Chinese side is willing to work closely with Vanuatu to build a community with a shared future between the two countries.  

Liu said, the inter-party exchanges between China and Vanuatu play an important political leading role in the development of bilateral relations. The CPC is willing to maintain close contacts with all political parties in Vanuatu, deepen exchanges and mutual learning of experience in state governance and administration such as strengthening governing capability, strengthen exchanges between the young people of both countries, promote practical cooperation in various fields, and open up brighter prospects for China-Vanuatu relations. Liu also introduced the main connotation and core meaning of Chinese modernization, stressing that Chinese modernization will neither tread the old path of colonization and plunder, nor the crooked path taken by some countries to seek hegemony once they grow strong. China is willing to join hands with Vanuatu on the path of modernization to achieve common development and better benefit the two peoples.  

Leaders of Vanuatu's political parties thanked China for its longstanding, selfless support for Vanuatu's economic and social development. They hoped to strengthen exchanges with the CPC and promote the development of relations between the CPC and their parties as well as between Vanuatu and China. Leaders of all political parties expressed their firm adherence to the one-China principle.  

Simeon said, although there are different political views within Vanuatu's parliament, all political parties consider China a trustworthy friend and are eager to learn from the CPC's experience in party building and state governance to better build their own country.  

Napat said, it was a great honor to lead a delegation to visit China not long ago and witness China's tremendous development achievements in various fields. China is Vanuatu's true friend and always lends a helping hand when Vanuatu encounters difficulties.  

Loughman emphasized that despite the different political systems, China and Vanuatu share common goals in improving people's livelihoods and promoting sustainable economic and social development. The two countries can strengthen dialogue and expand cooperation.  

Kilman said, China-Vanuatu relations have grown ever stronger as time goes by. In a world filled with turmoil, Vanuatu needs good friends like China. Both sides should deepen practical cooperation in various fields.  

The leaders of the political parties also expressed their willingness to enhance sub-national cooperation and parliamentary exchanges with China.