China extends assistance to Pacific islands in combating climate change challenges
CHINA COMMITTED TO ENHANCING CLIMATE CHANGE SUPPORT FOR PACIFIC ISLAND NATIONS
BEIJING—China has pledged to significantly bolster its support for Pacific Island countries in addressing climate change, as revealed during the Third China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers' Meeting held in Xiamen last May 28.
Foreign Minister Wang Yi announced that China will carry out 100 "small but meaningful" projects across Pacific Island nations with established ties over the following three years. These projects will primarily focus on enhancing climate resilience and supporting local adaptation measures.
Moreover, China will pump in US$2 million (S$2.6 million) into the clean energy, agriculture, fishery, ocean management, low-carbon infrastructure, low-carbon tourism, disaster prevention, and mitigation sectors of Pacific Island countries. This intended investment aligns with a slowdown in Chinese lending as its USD19 trillion economy slows down.
The Chinese Foreign Minister pointed out that China is fully aware of the vulnerability of Pacific Island nations in terms of their economic and social development against the backdrop of climate change. He emphasized China's commitment to cooperating with these nations to improve their energy structure, upgrade industries, and strengthen their capacity to meet the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and related goals, thereby bolstering their climate resilience.
In addition to the financial commitments, China will facilitate the establishment of low-carbon demonstration zones in Pacific Island countries. Capacity-building training programs will be set up to cultivate professional expertise in climate change response within these nations. The China-Pacific Island Countries Climate Change Cooperation Center will continue its operations to encourage dialogue, hold seminars, and foster communication on climate resilience. China has also invited more Pacific Island countries to join the International Zero-Carbon Island Cooperation Initiative, a platform promoting carbon neutrality among island nations.
As part of China's broader initiative to deepen ties with Pacific Island countries, the expanded support also covers infrastructure, green development, marine economy, cultural exchanges, health care, and economic development. China reiterated that all cooperation will be based on equality, mutual respect, and shared development goals, ensuring that Pacific Island nations can choose development paths suitable to their national circumstances.
In summary, China's increased support for Pacific Island nations encompasses targeted funding, practical low-carbon and resilience-building projects, capacity development, technology sharing for disaster risk reduction, and strengthened multilateral cooperation platforms. The aim is to help these vulnerable countries tackle the adverse effects of climate change while fostering sustainable development.
- China's plan includes investing $2 million into various sectors such as clean energy, agriculture, fishery, and disaster prevention in Pacific Island countries, aiming to align with a slowdown in Chinese lending due to a slowing economy.
- In addition to financial support, China will facilitate the creation of low-carbon demonstration zones and establish capacity-building training programs in climate change response for Pacific Island nations.
- The Chinese Foreign Minister underscored China's commitment to work with these countries to improve their energy structure, industrial upgrades, and climate resilience, which aligns with the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
- China's support also extends beyond climate change, covering infrastructure, green development, marine economy, cultural exchanges, health care, and economic development, all based on principles of equality, mutual respect, and shared development goals.
