On May 27th, Liu Jianchao, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, delivered a speech, focusing on the theme "Working Together to Building a Stronger China-Pacific Island Countries Community with a Shared Future," at the Vanuatu National Convention Centre upon invitation. Charlot Salwai, President of the Reunification Movement for Change and Prime Minister of Vanuatu attended the event. Matai Seremaiah Nawalu, Vice President of the Leaders Party of Vanuatu, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and External Trade, chaired the event. About 200 participants, including government officials such as Johnny Koanapo, Minister of Internal Affairs; Rick Tchamako Mahe, Minister of Lands; Bob Loughman Weibur, Minister of Tourism, Trade, Commerce and Ni Vanuatu Business; Andrew Napuat, First Deputy Speaker; Gracia Shadrack, the Opposition Leader; Ulrich Sumptoh, Leader of the National United Party; Jay Ngwele, President of the Rural Development Party; Leonard Louma, Director-General of the Melanesian Spearhead Group; Paul Robert Ravun, President of the Malvatumauri Council of Chiefs; Steve Kiel, Lord Mayor of Port Vila City, as well as representatives from politics, academia, business, media and young students, attended the event.  

Liu said, the 20th CPC National Congress outlined China’s central task of advancing the cause of building a great country and national rejuvenation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization. China is accelerating far-reaching reform and high-level opening-up to drive high-quality economic development. As Chinese modernization progresses, countries worldwide will benefit from broader market opportunities and more chances for win-win cooperation.  

Liu said, 70 years ago, China first put forth in full the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-Existence. Through 70 years, the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence have been widely accepted and recognized by countries across the world. General Secretary Xi Jinping's proposal of building a community with a shared future for mankind, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative has contributed Chinese wisdom and strength to the progress of human civilization. Within the framework of the high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, China is deepening cooperation with all countries and actively implementing these major global initiatives to contribute to global peace, stability, and prosperity.  

Liu said, despite the geographical distance, the friendship between the peoples of China and Vanuatu has a long history. Over the past 42 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, under the strategic guidance of the leaders of both countries, bilateral relations have been continually deepened. China and Vanuatu are good friends who sincerely treat each other, good partners for win-win cooperation and good brothers who support each other. China is willing to enhance exchanges and dialogues at all levels with Vanuatu, deepen alignment of development strategies, support each other on core interests and major concerns, and work together for common development to benefit both peoples.  

Liu said, the China-Vanuatu relationship is a microcosm of relations between China and Pacific Island Countries (PICs). Regardless of global changes, China's friendly policy towards PICs remains consistent and its commitment unwavering. In handling relations with PICs, China always adheres to mutual respect, equal treatment, and the principle of putting righteousness first while pursuing shared interests, mutual assistance, openness, and inclusiveness. China seeks to strengthen exchanges and dialogues at all levels between governments, political parties, and parliaments, enhance mutual understanding and trust, and advance the comprehensive strategic partnership between both sides. China will continue to provide support and assistance within the framework of South-South Cooperation, align with the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent and development strategies of PICs, jointly achieve common development, actively call on the international community to pay attention to the special situation and legitimate concerns of PICs, support the countries in safeguarding their legitimate rights and interests in the international arena, jointly advocate an equal and orderly multi-polar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, and safeguard the common interests of developing countries.  

Liu said, China-PICs cooperation focuses on development and is not targeting any third party or controlled by any third party. Based on the will and actual needs of island countries, China is ready to carry out trilateral or multilateral cooperation with more countries in and outside the region that truly care about the development of PICs, so as to help them accelerate economic development and improve people's livelihood. China is ready to work with Vanuatu and other PICs to strengthen dialogue and communication, deepen practical cooperation, enhance people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and jointly build a stronger community with a shared future between China and PICs.  

During the interactive session, Liu elaborated on the basic principles of China's foreign policy, China's development experience, debt of developing countries, artificial intelligence technology, the Ukraine crisis and the Palestine-Israel conflict.