On 26 March, 1982, 42 years ago, the People’s Republic of China officially forged diplomatic ties with the Republic of Vanuatu, marking a new chapter in the history of China-Vanuatu relations. Over the past 42 years, thanks to the leadership of leaders of both countries and the joint efforts of their peoples, China and Vanuatu relations, underpinned by the one-China principle, have stood the test of time and become a model of mutual respect, solidarity and coordination between developing countries.
Over the past 42 years, we have focused on common development and become good partners of mutual benefits and win-win results. We signed over 10 cooperation documents on fisheries, marine affairs, economics, technology, infrastructure and other industries. Particularly, Vanuatu has joined the Group of Friends of the Global Development Initiative, advancing practical cooperation in all fields. China has never attached any political strings to its aid to Vanuatu. Instead, China has been committed to boosting Vanuatu’s self-development capacity under the principle of giving fish and teaching how to fish at the same time. Praised as the road of hope, Tanna road and Malekula road enhance connectivity between villages and communities and promote local development in agriculture and tourism. The upgraded Luganville International Wharf significantly boosts Vanuatu’s shipping capacity. Sinovan Fisheries Ltd, a joint venture of China and Vanuatu, marks a new chapter in Vanuatu’s fisheries history and enriches Vanuatu students’ lunch with more fish products. Vanuatu attended the China International Import Expo for 6 consecutive years, sending more Vanuatu specialty products to the Chinese market.
Over the past 42 years, we have focused on common security and become good friends who treat each other with sincerity. We respect each other’ s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and support each other in independently choosing a development path. China medical team has been working in Vanuatu for decades. Ark Peace medical ship visited Vanuatu 3 times. These medical professionals provided high-quality medical services to local people and shared medical and diagnostic experience with Vanuatu doctors. Faced with the outbreak of Covid-19, China and Vanuatu worked even closer despite great difficulties to promote the building of a community of health for China and Vanuatu. From last year on, China begins to send police expert team to Vanuatu in relays. The second team is now working in concert with their Vanuatu colleagues in Port Vila on law enforcement training. They provided police uniforms, vehicles and forensic equipment according to the needs of Vanuatu, significantly improving police law enforcement capacity of Vanuatu mobile force. In addition, China is always the first to help whenever Vanuatu is hit by natural disaster. In the wake of the two devastating tropical cyclones last March, China took immediate action to send emergency supplies across vast distance to Vanuatu by charted flights and military ships as so to help with Vanuatu’s disaster relief.
Over the past 42 years, we have promoted exchanges and mutual learning between Chinese civilization and Melanesian civilization and become good friends who truly care about each other. China believes that education is fundamental to poverty reduction. In Vanuatu, education is renowned as the beacon of hope. Throughout the years, China fully supports Vanuatu in education development and capacity building. China and Vanuatu work together to promote Chinese language education at Vanuatu primary and secondary schools in an effort to empower education development in Vanuatu and prevent poverty from being passed on to the next generation. Vanuatu students learned expertise in agricultural modernization and business star-ups during their studies in China through Chinese scholarship programs. Last year, former President of Malvatumauri National Council of Chiefs organized a delegation to attend the China International Tea Expo, starting a dialogue between Chinese tea and Vanuatu kava. At the invitation of Vanuatu, Foshan Arts Group presented wonderful shows in Port Vila at the 7th Melanesian Arts and Cultural Festival, demonstrating connections and similarities between Chinese culture and Vanuatu culture.
The 42-year history of China-Vanuatu relations proves that the way China and Vanuatu treat each other with respect and equality is correct and the cooperation path of win-win results and mutual benefits taken by the two countries is correct. That’s why the vast Pacific has become a bond connecting China and Vanuatu rather than an obstacle to our cooperation. Now our relations are closer and stronger.
Today, the world is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century. Global economic recovery is sluggish. Geopolitical conflicts flare up. Bullying and hegemony are on the rise. The noise of zero-sum game mindset agitating for decoupling and a new Cold War is rampant. The world is plagued with uncertainties and instabilities. Under this circumstance, Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, advocating a people-centered approach for global development, a new vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security and the equality, mutual learning, dialogue and inclusiveness of civilizations across the world. With relentless efforts over the years, The three initiatives have developed from a promising vision to substantive actions and laid a foundation for the building of a community with a shared future for mankind as three pillars, forging a strong power that leads global history progress.
As a good friend, good partner and good brother, China is ready to work closer with Vanuatu to deliver the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative and more fruitful results of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation to Vanuatu so as to better benefit the two countries and the two peoples and inject new momentum to world peace and development together.