China: A Development Partner to the Pacific Region
中国是地区国家的发展伙伴
Chinese Ambassador to New Zealand Wang Xiaolong
驻新西兰大使王小龙
2022年3月11日
11 March 2022
In my decades of diplomatic career, only a handful of events or activities have left me with deep impressions and everlasting memories. One of them is the collective meeting between President Xi Jinping and the Leaders of Pacific Island Countries that have diplomatic ties with China, held on the margin of the APEC Leaders’ Informal Meeting in Port Moresby in November 2018. I was a witness to the event. President Xi and the Pacific leaders at the time jointly agreed to elevate the relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership featuring mutual respect and common development, ushering in a new era of all-around cooperation between the two sides. In October last year, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and relevant Pacific Island Countries foreign ministers established a regular meeting mechanism, scaling new heights in the relations.
在我数十年的外交经历中，给我留下深刻印象和持久记忆的事件和活动并不是很多，其中之一是习近平主席2018年11月在莫尔兹比港出席亚太经济合作组织领导人非正式会议期间，与建交太平洋岛国领导人举行集体会晤。我是那场活动的见证者。作为会晤最重要的成果，习主席和与会岛国领导人共同决定，中国与太平洋岛国建立相互尊重、共同发展的全面战略伙伴关系，开辟了双方全方位合作的新时代。去年10月，王毅国务委员兼外长与有关岛国达成的外长会晤机制又推动中国与岛国关系上了一个新台阶。
Over the years, China has deepened economic and trade relations with countries worldwide, including New Zealand and Pacific Island Countries. China has now become the largest trading partner to more than 120 countries. The cooperation benefits the peoples involved and boosts the economic growth of the relevant countries, regions, and the world. China is endowed with capital, technology, market, and especially outstanding infrastructure capabilities. While increasing import from Pacific Island Countries, China helps them build infrastructure such as roads, ports, and airports, within the framework of South-South cooperation, to improve people’s livelihood and strengthen their capabilities for sustainable development.
多年来，中国与包括澳大利亚、新西兰和地区岛国在内的全球各国的经贸合作不断发展，中国已经成为120多个国家的最大贸易伙伴。这些贸易合作惠及各国人民，也为有关国家和区域乃至世界经济的增长作出了积极贡献。中国有资金，有技术，有市场，有出色的基础设施建设能力。在南南合作的框架内，中国在加大进口岛国的特色产品的同时，帮助他们建设道路、港口或机场等基础设施，帮他们改善民生，增强可持续发展能力。
Many people in the Pacific region are yet to be alleviated from the long-term poverty, and some countries are still listed as the least developed. Developing the economy and improving people’s lives are the top priorities for these countries. Although some are relatively well-off, their development is still insufficient and unbalanced due to the “tyranny of distance”, small economic scale, over-reliance on limited primary industries and products. For most of them, while climate change is becoming an existential challenge, the COVID-19 pandemic has hit their economies hard and battered people’s livelihoods. As a fellow developing country, China feels deeply and dearly the Pacific Island Countries’ aspirations towards development and has responded positively to their wishes for economic and trade cooperation.
长期以来，地区许多国家的民众仍生活在贫困之中，有的国家仍处于最不发达国家行列，发展经济、改善民生，是各国最优先的事项。有的岛国虽然相对富裕，但发展仍不充分、平衡，且面临气候变化带来的挑战，一场疫情又对他们的经济和民生造成重创。中国是发展中国家，对岛国发展的愿望感同身受，对岛国政府和人民与中国开展经贸合作的愿望作出了积极回应。
China and the Pacific Island Countries respect and support each other. Upon the outbreak of the pandemic two years ago, leaders of many Pacific Island Countries sent messages and calls of condolences to their Chinese counterparts. In the past two years, China has delivered PPEs, vaccines, and medicines to the Pacific region and provided funding in support of its COVID-19 Response to the best of its capacity.
中国与岛国相互尊重、相互支持。两年前新冠肺炎疫情在中国暴发后，不少岛国领导人向中国领导人致函致电慰问。过去两年间，中方向岛国提供了大量的防疫物资、疫苗和药物，并力所能及地提供抗疫合作基金，有力促进了一些岛国民众的健康和安全。
When China makes a commitment, it delivers. Last year, China-Pacific Island Countries Emergency Supplies Reserve was set up right after it was announced at the first China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. Thanks to that, China has managed to provide the Solomon Islands with COVID vaccines and essential supplies to help curb the pandemic since the beginning of this year. In addition, China came to Tonga’s rescue with bottled water, canned meat, medical packages, generators, water pumps, tents, and other materials in urgent need right after its volcanic eruption. More recently, anti-COVID supplies from China have arrived in Kiribati.
中国对岛国的承诺说到做到。去年，中国建立了太平洋地区应急物资储备库。今年以来，中国利用这个储备库，紧急向所罗门群岛运送了大量疫苗和抗疫物资，有力缓解了所罗门群岛疫情防控形势。中国并紧急弛援火山爆发后的汤加民众，提供瓶装水、肉类罐头、医疗卫生包、发电机、高压水泵、帐篷等。近日，中国对基里巴斯的紧急疫情防控物资也已抵达。
China is fully aware that climate change is the single biggest security challenge that the Pacific region is faced with and has thus promoted cooperation with the region. As the largest developing country actively engaged in global climate change cooperation, China has announced its firm commitment to carbon peaking and neutrality and has declared that it will no longer build any new coal-fired projects abroad, which has been well received in the Pacific Islands. The establishment of the China-Pacific Island Countries Climate Change Cooperation Center last year has added to the tool-box to address this common challenge.
中国深刻认识到气候变化是岛国地区面临的严重安全挑战，与地区国家不断开展应对气变合作。中国作为最大发展中国家，向世界庄严作出碳达峰、碳中和承诺，并宣布不再在海外新建煤电厂，为全球应对气变合作作出积极贡献，受到了岛国的普遍欢迎。去年中国建立了中国—太平洋岛国应对气候变化合作中心，将会进一步深化相互之间的气变应对合作，使其成为双方合作的一个重要领域。
Admittedly, China and the Pacific Island Countries are distant from one another geographically and different in political systems and lifestyles. However, we have a lot in common. We are all pursuing national development and the better lives for our peoples. We share the aspiration for world peace and regional stability. And we hold each other in respect. Linked by traditional sea routes, the peoples of China and the Pacific Island Countries have maintained continuous exchanges across the vast Pacific over hundreds of years. With cultures alike and hearts connected, we are engaged in practical and mutually beneficial cooperation.
诚然，中国与地区国家相距遥远，与一些国家的政治体制、生活方式也不相同。但是，中国与地区国家更多的是拥有许多相同点。我们都追求发展，希望本国民众过上好日子，都希望世界和平，地区稳定和各国相互尊重。千百年来，中国和岛国民众生活在这一片广大的亚太区域，海陆相邻，往来不断，彼此文化相近，心灵相通，彼此相互尊重，开展真诚务实合作，努力实现互利共赢。
While developing the relations with the Pacific Island Countries, China never interferes in their internal affairs, nor imposes its own will on them. On the contrary, we believe that all countries are equal regardless of size and always adopt an approach of respect and sincerity in dealing with our counterparts.
在发展关系的过程中，中国从不干涉岛国的内部事务，也不把自己的意志强加于人。相反，我们一直坚持大小国家一律平等，在国际关系中以实际行动践行相互尊重、真诚相待。
China never pursues the so-called ‘Debt Trap’ diplomacy, does not believe in zero-sum games, and never makes empty promises. In fact, we always match our commitments with real and concrete actions. We promote common development to help the Pacific Island Countries avoid the ‘Underdevelopment Trap.’ Not a single country has suffered debt distress because it borrows from China. China’s grants, and the concessional loans and debt restructuring packages offered by China on terms comparable to developed countries and international financial institutions, have helped the recipients enhance their long-term development capabilities and overcome various challenges, including their capacity to address the debt burdens.
中国从不制造“债务陷阱”，从不搞我赢你输，从不“口惠而实不至”。相反，我们说到做到，努力帮助包括岛国在内的合作伙伴摆脱“不发展或发展不足的陷阱”，促进共同发展。没有哪个国家是因为中国陷入债务困境的。中国向其他国家提供无偿援助和与发达国家及国际金融机构可比条件的低息贷款以及债务重组支持，有助于增强其长期发展能力，从根本上应对包括债务负担在内的各种挑战。
China has never engaged in geopolitical expansion and competition games, has no appetite for claiming ‘backyards’ and ‘spheres of influence,’ and has never targeted any third party when developing relations with other countries, including the Pacific Island Countries. On the contrary, China cherishes open regionalism featuring dialogues and communications. China remains open towards trilateral and multi-party cooperation, and ready to work with all countries and organizations willing and able to contribute to the region’s peace, stability, and development. In the same vein, China’s relations and cooperation with relevant countries should not be hamstrung by any third party.
中国在与包括岛国在内的各国发展关系时从不搞地缘扩张和博弈，不划分所谓的“后院”和“势力范围”，不针对第三方。相反，我们奉行开放的地区主义，愿与相关各方保持对话沟通，对开展三方、多方合作持开放态度，愿同所有有意愿和能力的国家与组织一道为有关地区的和平、稳定与发展作出贡献。当然，我们也不希望我们与有关国家的正常关系与合作受到第三方的干扰。
Sovereignty and territorial integrity is among China’s core interest. As a widely accepted norm of international relations, the One-China principle is the political foundation and precondition for China to develop relations with other countries. China is pleased that this principle has been firmly supported by the international community, including the majority of the Pacific Island Countries. No attempt to challenge or undermine this principle can succeed, any attempt to create ‘two Chinas’ and ‘one China, one Taiwan’ or any support for ‘Taiwan independence’ is doomed to fail, and any attempt to utilize Taiwan issue to divide and destabilize this region will inevitably be opposed by most Pacific Island Countries.
维护主权和领土完整是中国的核心利益。一个中国原则是中国与各国发展关系的政治基础和前提，也是公认的国际关系准则。我们很高兴这一原则得到了包括大多数岛国在内的国际社会成员的坚定支持。任何挑战或破坏这一原则的企图都不会得逞，任何以制造“两个中国”、“一中一台”或支持“台独”的企图都将以失败告终，任何以此在南太地区滋生事端、制造分裂和对立、破坏稳定的企图都会遭到广大地区国家的反对。
China respects New Zealand’s historical ties and links with the Pacific and its traditional role and influence in the region. In this connection, China is willing to strengthen communications and consultations with New Zealand on regional affairs and ready for further tripartite cooperation building on past experiences. There is ample space for collaboration in this regard, and it is also in line with the needs and aspirations of our island partners. China and New Zealand are critical bilateral partners to each other. The two parties should also promote regional development hand in hand and take regional cooperation as an integral part of our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
新西兰与南太岛国存在传统身份、文化等重要联系，在地区事务中发挥着传统作用与影响，中方对此充分尊重，愿与新方就地区事务加强沟通协商，愿与新方在不断总结经验的基础上与岛国一起开展三方合作。双方这方面开展合作有着充足的空间，也符合我们共同的岛国伙伴的需求与愿望。中国与新西兰互为重要的合作伙伴，两国也应该成为促进地区发展的重要伙伴，两国在地区层面的合作是两国全面战略伙伴关系的重要组成部分。
The Pacific Island Countries are presently grappling with the various challenges posed by economic difficulties, the pandemic, and climate change. China is ready to work with the Pacific partners to implement the consensus reached by our leaders, continue to expand our practical cooperation, and share the benefits of economic globalization to address the common challenges. China is also willing to work with other countries, seeking common ground while shelving differences, to promote the stability and prosperity of the Pacific region.
当前，地区国家面临经济困难、疫情防控、气候变化等重大挑战，对可持续发展的渴望更加强烈。中国愿积极执行双方领导人之间达成的共识成果，继续与地区岛国国家扩大务实合作，共同应对挑战，共享经济全球化收益。中国也愿与其他国家携手合作，求同存异，共同为岛国稳定发展作出积极贡献。