September 5, 2026
Pohnpei – In a series of messages following the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting, China’s Embassy in the Federated States of Micronesia emphasized Beijing’s development activities across the Pacific and outlined plans for expanded cooperation in renewable energy, ocean resources, trade, and investment.
The Embassy’s September 2 posts drew from remarks delivered by Qian Bo, Special Envoy of the Chinese Government for Pacific Island Countries Affairs, during the Forum’s Leaders Dialogue with Dialogue Partners.
Qian described China as a “sincere friend and reliable partner” of Pacific Island countries and pointed to infrastructure, climate, health, and economic programs already underway across the region.
Among 10 infrastructure projects he said had been completed, Qian specifically cited the National Convention Center in the FSM, along with the National Referral Hospital Comprehensive Medical Centre in Solomon Islands and a power grid project in Papua New Guinea. He also listed projects underway in Naoero, Fiji, Kiribati, and Vanuatu.
Qian said China has signed Framework Agreements on Enhanced Economic Partnership with eight Pacific Island countries, including the FSM, and said the agreements are intended to facilitate trade with China and support industrial and agricultural development.
On climate change, he said China pledged $2 million last year for 100 community-centered projects across the Pacific. He cited renewable energy and climate-related projects in Tonga, Naoero, Vanuatu, and Papua New Guinea.
China’s health and education activities were also part of the post-Forum message. Qian said seven Chinese medical teams had been deployed in Pacific Island countries since last year, while the Chinese hospital ship Ark Silk Road provided medical services to more than 16,000 patients in Fiji, Tonga, Papua New Guinea, and Naoero.
Looking ahead, Qian said China intends to increase its engagement in the region, including support for renewable energy development and energy infrastructure.
He also proposed building what he called a China-Pacific Islands “Blue Partnership,” encompassing the blue economy, marine conservation, aquaculture, marine renewable energy, and other ocean-related industries. China will continue to provide $200,000 this year to the Pacific Regional Environment Programme, he said.
Trade and investment were another part of the proposed expanded relationship. Qian said China would seek to provide greater access to its domestic market for Pacific exports and encourage Chinese private-sector investment in Pacific Island countries.
The remarks also addressed the one-China issue that became a point of contention surrounding this year’s Forum. Qian said China’s position is that participation by Taiwan in international organizations must be handled in accordance with the one-China principle. He thanked what he described as the “vast majority” of PIF members for their commitment to that principle, calling it the “political bedrock and fundamental prerequisite” for closer cooperation between China and the Forum.
The Embassy separately repeated that portion of Qian’s remarks in one of its September 2 social media posts.
Qian concluded by saying China was prepared to continue working with Pacific Island countries and described the Pacific as a “shared home” of China and the region’s island nations.
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