Micronesian foreign secretary hails mature, strong relationship with China

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi (3rd L) meets with Micronesian Secretary of Foreign Affairs Kandhi Elieisar via video link, in Papua New Guinea, on June 2, 2022. (Xinhua/Bai Xuefei)

Welcoming the "cloud visit", or a video meeting, paid by Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Micronesian Secretary of Foreign Affairs Elieisar said China has been sincere and cordial in conducting pragmatic, productive cooperation with Micronesia since the establishment of diplomatic ties.

PORT MORESBY, June 3 (Xinhua) -- Micronesian Secretary of Foreign Affairs Kandhi Elieisar said on Thursday that Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi's "cloud visit" to the Federated States of Micronesia highlighted the mature and strong relations between the two countries.

Welcoming the "cloud visit", or a video meeting, paid by the Chinese state councilor, Elieisar said China has been sincere and cordial in conducting pragmatic, productive cooperation with Micronesia since the establishment of diplomatic ties.

China has made significant contributions to the socio-economic development of Micronesia and helped the Pacific island country fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, he said, noting that the two sides have always trusted and respected each other on multilateral issues.

Micronesia is looking forward to further strengthening the friendly relations with China to realize win-win cooperation with mutual benefits, Elieisar said.

Wang said China and Micronesia have made fruitful achievements in their relations since they established diplomatic ties more than 30 years ago, and the two countries should stick to the right path and stride toward the goal of win-win cooperation.

The two-way trade grew by over 30 percent last year, which fully demonstrated the potential of bilateral cooperation, he said, urging the two sides to further dovetail the Belt and Road Initiative with the Blue Prosperity Micronesia.

Wang also called for extended cooperation in the fields of agri-fishery, infrastructure, trade and investment, as well as tourism, so as to send positive signals for enhancing friendship, cementing mutual trust and opening up the future.

Wang and Elieisar also exchanged views on the cooperation between China and Pacific island countries.

Visiting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi has a video meeting with former president of Micronesia and president of the Micronesia-China Friendship Association (MCFA) John Haglelgam (not in the picture) in Papua New Guinea, June 2, 2022. (Xinhua/Bai Xuefei)

The second China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers' Meeting has just been successfully held, and all participants gave full credit for the significant outcome China and Pacific island countries have achieved through enhancing unity and coordination over the past nearly 50 years, Wang said.

The participants also hailed China's unremitting efforts in safeguarding the regional stability and development, he added.

He said China has established a dialogue platform in the form of the foreign ministers' meeting to carry out collective dialogue and regional cooperation with the island nations.

He added that China is keen to strengthen coordination with the island countries, drive the two engines of bilateral cooperation and regional coordination to simultaneously play their roles, and form synergy to boost the independent and sustainable development of the island countries.

Wang said the exchanges between China and island countries over the past nearly 50 years prove that the exchanges have never and will never affect the regional security and stability.

China focuses on economic development and cares about the improvement of people's livelihood. China is building roads and bridges instead of seeking military presence in the island countries, he noted.

The Chinese side released a position paper after the meeting, which further demonstrated China's positive attitude and unveiled specific measures in carrying out cooperation with the island countries.

Wang said China and other developing countries, including Pacific island countries, will continue grasping their development rights firmly, speeding up development and rejuvenation, achieving common prosperity and promoting fairness in the world.

Elieisar appreciated China's crucial role in the successful holding of the meeting, and expressed gratitude to China for treating Pacific island countries as close friends.

He said Micronesia is willing to coordinate with all other concerned parties to forge a partnership with mutual respect, understanding and trust.