FM Wang Yi Meets Vanuatu Counterpart to Strengthen Bilateral Relations

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi welcomed Vanuatu's Foreign Minister Marc Ati to Xiamen on Thursday, as part of the ongoing Third China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers' Meeting. The high-level engagement marked a deepening of relations between Beijing and Port Vila, with both leaders emphasizing a shared commitment to strengthening their comprehensive strategic partnership.

During the talks, Wang Yi highlighted how cooperation between China and Vanuatu has produced tangible results across multiple sectors, establishing a model of mutual respect and solidarity that many developing nations can follow. He praised the new Vanuatu government’s policy of friendship toward China, noting this approach enjoys broad bipartisan support and serves the fundamental interests of Vanuatu’s people.

With bilateral relations currently at their “historical best,” Wang urged both sides to maintain this momentum by increasing high-level exchanges and fostering practical cooperation. China remains open to greater imports of high-quality Vanuatu products and pledges continuing support for Chinese businesses investing in the island nation. Negotiations toward a bilateral free trade agreement are expected to begin soon, a move described as mutually beneficial for both economies.

Addressing broader regional issues, Wang underscored that Pacific Island countries are all independent and sovereign nations entitled to choose their own development paths and partnerships. “They are no one’s backyard,” Wang stated, stressing that the South Pacific should be defined as a platform for international cooperation rather than a theater for geopolitical rivalry. He reiterated China's firm support for Vanuatu’s sovereignty, security, and development interests.

Foreign Minister Ati reaffirmed Vanuatu's commitment to its enduring partnership with China. He credited Beijing’s sustained assistance for enhancing the well-being of Vanuatu’s population and boosting the nation’s resilience and confidence. Ati repeated his country’s strong adherence to the one-China policy and signaled a desire to deepen the alignment of development strategies, accelerate talks on a free trade agreement, and expand collaboration in education, infrastructure, health, and policing.

Looking ahead, both ministers expressed optimism about elevating the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Vanuatu to new heights. They jointly voiced hope for a more prosperous shared future, built on trust, respect, and a shared vision for peaceful development in the region.