Q: It was reported that, recently, the President of Federated States of Micronesia Panuelo sent a letter to the leaders of Pacific Island Countries on the “China-Pacific Island Countries Common Development Vision” and “Five-year Action Plan”, saying that the draft should be rejected, which essentially binds all Pacific Island Countries to China together,will affect the sovereignty of Pacific Island Countries. What is Embassy’s comments on this?

A: Certain leader’s remarks on China-Pacific Island Countries (PICs) cooperation are a distortion of China's foreign policy and China-PICs comprehensive strategic partnership. The relevant words are completely inconsistent with facts, do not represent the mainstream views of PICs and are not conducive to the in-depth development of China-PICs relations. It cannot be ruled out that the remarks were instigated and manipulated by Western forces.

In developing relations and cooperation with PICs, China has always adhered to the principle that all countries are equal no matter of their sizes, treating each other with sincerity and pursuing shared interests which has achieved fruitful results, and are warmly welcomed by the governments and people of PICs.

The upcoming 2nd China-PICs Foreign Ministers’ Meetingaims to build consensus on promoting peace and development and coping with risks and challenges, deepen friendly exchanges and practical cooperation between China and PICs in various fields, and promote prosperity and stability of the Asia-Pacific region. The 2nd China-PICs Foreign Ministers’ Meeting has received positive response and universal support from PICs.

I would like to stress again that PICs are not someone's “backyard” and should become a big stage for international cooperation, rather than an arena for geopolitical games. China’s foreign policy is open and transparent, with no political strings attached, not targeting any third party, and not seeking any self-interests or so-called “spheres of infulence”. China has always been the constructive force for peace, development and cooperation.

I believe that people of insight in the Pacific region can distinguish right from wrong and identify who is their real friend and who are the troublemakers undermining regional peace, stability and development. Any attempt to defame China’s foreign policy or undermine relations between China and PICs is doomed to failure, and has no market.