Xiamen City, Fujian Province, east China - May 29, 2025 (CGTN - No access Chinese mainland)
1. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi shaking hands with Marc Ati, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and External Trade of Vanuatu
2. Various of meeting between Wang, Ati in progress

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Thursday that the South Pacific region should be a stage of international cooperation, not an arena for geopolitical games, when meeting with Marc Ati, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and External Trade of Vanuatu, in Xiamen, east China's Fujian Province.

The two ministers met on the sidelines of the third China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers' Meeting.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said bilateral relations between China and Vanuatu are at their best in history, calling on the two sides to strengthen exchanges at all levels and expand practical cooperation.

He said China welcomes Vanuatu to expand export of high-quality products to China and will continue to encourage Chinese companies to invest and start businesses in Vanuatu.

Wang said China looks forward to the early launch of negotiations on a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA).

Vanuatu is welcome to attend the signing ceremony of the Convention on the Establishment of The International Organization for Mediation in Hong Kong on Friday, he said.

Wang stressed that Pacific island countries are all independent sovereign countries, not a "backyard" of anyone, adding that they have the right to independently choose their partners and development paths.

China firmly supports Vanuatu's independence and its efforts to defend its own sovereignty, security and development interests, Wang said.

For his part, Ati said China is an important development partner of Vanuatu, noting that China's support has not only helped Vanuatu improve the livelihoods of its people, but also enhanced its confidence and resilience in development, he said.

He said the Vanuatu government firmly adheres to the one-China policy and stands ready to further strengthen the alignment of development strategies with China.

Vanuatu is willing to work with China to accelerate efforts for FTA negotiations and promote cooperation in education, infrastructure, health, policing and other areas, so as to elevate the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership to a new height, Ati said.