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The Third China-Pacific Island Countries (PICs) Foreign Ministers' Meeting is being held in Xiamen, Fujian Province from Wednesday to Thursday, the first time the meeting is held in person in China. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, chairs the meeting. 

This meeting represents a significant milestone in China's cooperation with PICs, as their partnership has evolved from infrastructure development to capacity building and institutional strengthening. The enthusiasm of PICs to enhance cooperation with China, particularly in the face of Western narratives, underscores their commitment to pursuing practical development rather than becoming pawns in a geopolitical tug-of-war, analysts said. 

The gathering is part of a series of diplomatic events that China has either participated in or hosted during this particularly busy month, highlighting the willingness of Global South countries to deepen their collaboration with China. Experts suggest that this trend aims to offset the adverse effects of unilateralism and amplify the voices of Global South nations. 

Foreign ministers or representatives from 11 island countries that have diplomatic relations with China will attend the meeting upon invitation, Mao Ning, a spokesperson from China's ministry of foreign affairs, announced last week. 

Mao noted that it is the first time the meeting is being held in person in China, adding that there will be an in-depth exchange of views on interactions and cooperation between China and PICs in all aspects and international and regional issues of mutual interest.

Bilateral meetings

Wang met with President and Foreign Minister Taneti Maamau of Kiribati on Wednesday. He said that since the resumption of diplomatic relations between China and Kiribati more than five years ago, bilateral relations have developed rapidly, political mutual trust has been continuously deepened, and exchanges and cooperation in various fields have achieved fruitful results. 

Facts have proven that the decision made by the president and the people of Kiribati to resume diplomatic relations with China is standing on the right side of history, which is completely in line with the fundamental and long-term interests of the two peoples, said Wang, noting that China has always attached importance to China-Kiribati relations, highly appreciates Kiribati's firm adherence to the one-China principle, and is willing to work with Kiribati to continue promoting the development of bilateral relations and continuously improve the well-being of the people of Kiribati.

Wang also met with Premier and Foreign Minister Dalton Tagelagi of Niue; Crown Prince and Minister for Foreign Affairs Tupouto'a 'Ulukalala of Tonga, Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade Peter Shanel Agovaka of Solomon Islands, and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Immigration Tingika Elikana of the Cook Islands, on Wednesday. 

Wang told Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade Peter Shanel Agovaka of Solomon Islands that the Solomon Islands is a country that upholds principles, values faith and has integrity. 

China is willing to work with the Solomon Islands to safeguard multilateralism, the basic norms of international relations and international fairness and justice. China appreciates the Solomon Islands' firm adherence to the one-China principle, and will continue to increase support for the economic and social development of the Solomon Islands, strengthen trade and cultural exchanges between the two sides, encourage more enterprises to invest and start businesses in the Solomon Islands, and create more practical achievements that benefit the people of the Solomon Islands, Wang said.  

The first two China-PICs Foreign Ministers' Meeting were held in 2021 and 2022 respectively. The first meeting was held via video link due to COVID, and participants of the second meeting attended the meeting both online and offline.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi meets with Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade Peter Shanel Agovaka of Solomon Islands on May 28, 2025. Photo: cnsphoto

Growing outreach

The third China-PICs Foreign Ministers' Meeting ushers in a new era of collaboration based on the four fundamental principles underpinning China's diplomacy, according to a report published by the Solomon Star. 

The China-Pacific Islands Foreign Ministers meeting is anticipated to involve in-depth exchanges and cooperation between China and the region on all aspects and issues of mutual interest, FBC news, a news channel in Fiji reported. 

This meeting is expected to usher in another high point for China's interaction with PICs, as in recent years, China's cooperation with those countries has expanded from infrastructure construction to capacity building and institutional construction, Lin Duo, Assistant Research Fellow of the Department for Asia-Pacific Studies at the China Institute of International Studies, told the Global Times. 

Lin said that apart from helping those countries to build bridges and upgrade airports, China has also sent experts from arenas such agriculture, education, medical and police enforcement to conduct exchanges in those countries, to help people of these island countries better carry out self-development and career planning.

The high-level visits of leaders and senior officials in those countries to China signals a microcosm of the "upsurge" in exchanges between the two sides in recent years, said Lin.

In 2024, leaders from six Pacific Island countries, including President of the Republic of Nauru David Adeang, President of the Federated States of Micronesia Wesley W. Simina, Prime Minister of the Republic of Vanuatu Charlot Salwai, Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele of the Solomon Islands, Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and Samoan Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa, paid visits to China. 

Prime Minister of the Cook Islands Mark Brown also visited Harbin, capital city of Northeast China's Heilongjiang Province in February this year, for the closing ceremony of the 9th Asian Winter Games. 

Climate change has always been a decisive existential challenge for PICs, yet the US withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and its cuts to foreign climate aid are accelerating the existential threats faced by these countries on the "frontline of the climate crisis," Chen Hong, director of the Australian Studies Center of East China Normal University, told the Global Times.

He noted that against this backdrop, China's deepening of practical cooperation with PICs to tackle climate change has won the trust of these nations.

The Global Times learned from China-PICs Climate Change Cooperation Center that China is actively promoting practical cooperation with PICs in climate change and related fields through training, exchanges, academic activities and foreign aid.

As of now, China has carried out 45 training sessions on climate governance and related fields for PICs, covering more than 1,200 climate and environmental officials. It has also cultivated 10,000 professionals in fields such as agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry and fisheries, laying a talent foundation for enhancing the climate resilience of PICs.

However, China's cooperation with those island countries has always been closely watched by Western countries. 

A piece published by the US Center for Strategic and International Studies in April said "China is also likely taking advantage of what it sees as a period of uncertainty in US reliability in the region, reminding smaller and middle powers alike of the economic and military might that China can bring to bear on the region."

Rhetoric and accusations that serve to vilify China's collaboration with PICs as a part of big power competition has been pillorized by those countries. During an interview with China Central Television in August 2024, Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka emphasized Fiji's independent foreign policy and friendship with China. He dismissed fears of Cold-War-style confrontations, pointing out that Fiji, like many PICs, seeks peaceful coexistence and mutual benefit rather than being pawns in a geopolitical tug of war.

During his visit to China last year, Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele of the Solomon Islands said that China has set an example for developing countries, and China advocates the common values of humanity, upholds multilateralism, avoids forming exclusive cliques or playing geopolitical games, does not require other countries to take sides, and calls on the international community to strengthen unity and cooperation, according to a readout published by Solomon Islands government.