China's policy on South Pacific nations is a strategic principle, not a diplomatic expediency, said Premier Wen Jiabao in Beijing Wednesday.

 

Wen said in a talks with President of Micronesia Joseph J. Urusemal that China attaches great importance to the relations with island countries in the Pacific ocean.

 

China respects Pacific island countries' just positions on safeguarding state sovereignty and independence, supports their requests for equal participation in international affairs, Wen said.

 

"China is ready to help economic development of these island countries within its capacity," the premier said.

 

History has proved that China is the sincere and reliable friend and partner of island countries in the Pacific Ocean, he said.

 

Urusemal spoke highly of China's policy towards the Pacific island countries. China sticks to the principle of mutual respect and equality in the exchanges with Pacific island countries, and is a true friend of the island countries, he said.

 

The Pacific island countries value and appreciate China's increasingly important role in international and regional affairs, and are willing to enhance cooperation with China, so as to benefit from China's development, the president said.

 

Premier Wen attended the first Ministerial Conference of the China-Pacific Island Countries Economic Development and Cooperation Forum in Fiji earlier April. Both Wen and Urusemal spoke highly of the successful convention of the meeting.

 

The forum is a platform for China and Pacific island countries to deepen all-round cooperation and promote common development, Wen said, noting that China will work with the island countries to implement the consensus of the meeting and enable the forum to achieve fresh progress.

 

Urusemal said the forum, initiated by China, and Premier Wen's speech on supporting the island countries to speed up development at the ministerial conference indicate China's sincere willingness to support these countries' economic and social development.

 

Micronesia and other Pacific island countries will join China in promoting mutually-beneficial cooperation through this new platform, Urusemal said.

 

As to China-Micronesia relations, Wen said China is satisfied with the sound development of bilateral relations since forging diplomatic ties.

 

Micronesia is an important cooperation partner of China in the South Pacific region, Wen said, noting that China will continue making pragmatic cooperation with Micronesia.

 

The Chinese premier expressed the hope that the two nations would further increase friendly exchanges at various levels to reinforce the political foundation of bilateral relations.

 

The two nations should enhance cooperation in agriculture, fishery, tourism, and international and regional affairs, and support each other on major issues of common concern, Wen said.

 

Urusemal expressed appreciation for China's support for Micronesia in various fields and reiterated that Micronesia would adhere to the one-China policy.

 

(Xinhua News Agency April 27, 2006)