In a China-funded greenhouse in Tongan, Alani’s family harvests edible fungi.  

Chinese doctors perform an operation aboard the Chinese naval hospital ship Peace Ark on August 10th, 2023.  

Photo shows the China-built main stadium for 2023 Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands.  

In recent years, the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Pacific Island Countries (PICs) has made continuous progress and achieved fruitful results, becoming a model of South-South cooperation and win-win cooperation. Several PICs leaders highlighted in interviews that the cooperation between PICs and China aligns with the trends of the times, benefits regional people, and shows robust vitality.　　  

Samiu Vaipulu, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Justice and Prisons of Tonga: Whenever we encounter difficulties, our Chinese friends extend a helping hand  

Samiu Vaipulu, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Justice and Prisons of Tonga, said that they deeply felt that achieving development requires hard work and a focus on people-centered development. He has visited China several times, traveling to regions such as Shanghai, Shandong, Guangdong, and Shaanxi. In April this year, he led the 10th Political Leaders Delegation of Pacific Island Countries to visit Fujian Province, along with political leaders from seven PICs, to further explore China's agricultural and marine economy, and to understand China's poverty alleviation practices and the CPC's experience and practices of strengthening governing capability.  

In Fuzhou, the delegation gained an in-depth understanding of the fungus industry and the economic value and planting techniques of various fungus crops. In Xiamen, they investigated the thriving aquaculture industry firsthand. In Ningde, they learnt about efforts in poverty alleviation, ecological civilization, and other fields. Vaipulu said, the CPC consistently adheres to a people-centered development philosophy, and considers it its goal to meet the people's aspirations for a better life. The CPC has united and led the Chinese people in endeavoring to build a stronger China with a spirit of self-reliance and hard work, providing an important reference for the development of PICs. Vaipulu said that China's vivid development experiences must be brought back to PICs to deepen cooperation in various fields with China and achieve win-win cooperation.   

Vaipulu has been a witness to Tonga-China cooperation. Years ago, he participated in the signing ceremonies of agreements for several China-built projects in Tonga, including the road renovation projects on Vava'u, 'Eua and Tongatapu. He noted that since the signing of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) cooperation document between Tonga and China in November 2018, the practical cooperation between the two sides in various fields has been continuously expanded, and the national road rehabilitation project of Tonga has been implemented successively. In the same year, the National Health Commission of China sent the first medical team to Tonga, providing medical consultations in local communities and schools, and contributing to improving local healthcare services.   

Vaipulu said Tonga is fortunate that Chinese friends lend a helping hand whenever it encounters difficulties. Climate change is a common challenge faced by countries worldwide, and the PICs are among the regions most threatened by climate change. In January 2022, a volcanic eruption in Tonga caused severe disasters such as tsunamis. China provided the first batch of post-disaster relief supplies and continued to aid Tonga in various ways. In April 2022, the China-Pacific Island Countries Climate Change Cooperation Center was officially launched. China has signed five project documents with PICs on giving them material assistance on climate change under the framework of South-South cooperation.  

Vaipulu said that he is very grateful to China for its long-term support and help, and Tonga attaches great importance to its relations with China, hoping that both sides will continue to deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership featuring mutual respect and common development and contribute to a better tomorrow.  

Bradley Tovosia, deputy wing leader of OUR Party of Solomon Islands: Strengthening Cooperation for Regional Prosperity  

Bradley Tovosia, deputy wing leader of OUR Party of Solomon Islands and Minister of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification, has highlighted that the deepening relationship with China has brought invaluable development opportunities to the Solomon Islands, with cooperation across various fields delivering tangible benefits to the people. He noted that the Solomon Islands, rich in resources, and China, with its vast market and advanced technology, have highly complementary strengths, leading to expanding areas of cooperation and deepening friendship between the two peoples.  

In September 2019, China and the Solomon Islands officially established diplomatic relations, followed by the signing of the BRI cooperation agreement in October. In 2023, the stadium for 2023 Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands built by China, was completed and handed over. Tovosia pointed out that the high-quality construction of the stadium by Chinese builders is significant for the Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands. He also mentioned that other projects, such as the China-funded Comprehensive Medical Centre at the National Referral Hospital in the Solomon Islands, are progressing smoothly. The Solomon Islands is actively engaging in international cooperation with China under the BRI framework, focusing on disaster prevention and emergency management.  

Tovosia said, the people of the Solomon Islands often say that development is a journey with no end, but with one new departure point after another. He questioned what these new beginnings truly signify, and found the answer in China's development: a people-centered approach has brought continuous vitality to development, making China advance from one new departure point after another. Tovosia said, the CPC has always been dedicated to improving the lives of the people, united and led the Chinese people exploring a Chinese path to modernization. Chinese modernization has created a new blueprint, offering Pacific Island nations an entirely new option.   

Tovosia hoped to further strengthen cooperation with China to promote regional prosperity and development. He said, the Solomon Islands admired China's modernization achievements and China is always willing to share its development experiences and ideas with Pacific Island nations, hoping these valuable insights would help the Solomon Islands achieve its modernization at an early date.  

He also said, China's proposals for building a community with a shared future for mankind, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative have contributed valuable Chinese wisdom to achieving global peace and development. In particular, the Global Security Initiative, which upholds the concept that humanity is an indivisible security community, is committed to addressing traditional and non-traditional security challenges in collaboration with other countries, injecting greater stability and certainty into a turbulent world, and providing crucial support for lasting global peace and development. Tovosia said, the Solomon Islands values the significant role of the Global Security Initiative and hopes to engage in more in-depth cooperation with China.  

Rainbo Paita, Minister for Finance and Implementation and Minister for National Planning and Monitoring of Papua New Guinea (PNG): China's cooperation with PICs will make the path of friendly cooperation even broader.  

No country is an isolated island. Interconnected and interdependent, countries should always strengthen cooperation and share development results, observed Rainbo Paita, member of the PANGU Party, Member of the National Parliament, Minister for Finance and Implementation and Minister for National Planning and Monitoring of Papua New Guinea (PNG). Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the PNG more than 40 years ago, both sides have always respected each other, treated each other as equals, and deepened their friendship, with the two peoples benefiting from the cooperation results.  

In 1997, a Chinese expert group established a Juncao technology demonstration site in Eastern Highlands Province at the invitation of the government of Eastern Highlands Province. So far, Juncao cultivation has reached 8 provinces and 16 districts of the PNG, helping tens of thousands of people shake off poverty. Paita said, cultivation of Juncao is China's successful practice of applying its experience in poverty alleviation to global sustainable development. By promoting this technology, China has helped PNG and other countries increase production and income. He went on saying that the PNG is proud to be the first stop for China's Juncao to go global. The PNG hopes that more PNG students will come to China to learn Juncao technology and continue to deepen cooperation with China in this area.  

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The PNG is the first Pacific Island Country to sign a cooperation document on the BRI with China. Paita said, under the framework of jointly building the BRI, Chinese companies have helped Papua New Guinea build power grids, roads, ports and other infrastructure. And a series of projects benefiting the people such as the Butuka Academy and the provincial hospital in Enga have been completed or put into use, creating development conditions for the BRI partners, including the PICs. Chinese companies employ a large number of local people when undertaking important projects in the PNG, creating a considerable number of high-quality job opportunities, Paita said.  

Paita expressed that development is the eternal theme of mankind. He believes that China's development is not only independent, unique and advancing with the times, but also committed to mutual respect, mutual benefit and common development. He continued that every country has different national conditions. And the key is to build consensus for prosperity and development through mutual learning, openness and inclusiveness." The China-proposed Global Development Initiative responds to the demands of developing countries and charts the course for common prosperity of the world.  

In recent years, PNG’s products such as tuna, coffee, and coconut oil have made their way to the dining tables of Chinese people through platforms such as the China International Import Expo. Some exquisite earrings, necklaces and other handmade products designed by PNG female entrepreneurs also gained traction among Chinese consumers. He said China has opened the door to high-quality goods from all countries. China's booming economy and broad market will continue to play a positive role in the recovery and development of various countries.  

China's sincere help is felt most deeply by the people of the PICs, he said. He added the PNG people are eager to realize their yearning for a better life through development. The PNG attaches great importance to its partnership with China, and hopes to continue to carry out pragmatic cooperation with China in marine disaster prevention and reduction, climate change response, marine resource development and sustainable economic development, strengthen the connection between development plans such as "Connect PNG" program and the joint construction of the BRI. He is confident that this will make the path of friendly cooperation ever broader.