In most world maps published by the West with the Atlantic Ocean as the center, the Pacific Island countries are on the margin. But they occupy the center of the world maps published by China that put the Pacific in the middle.

While most major Western countries view them the way they are presented on their maps, the Pacific Island countries assume a special role for China due to their multiple strategic meanings, as neighbors, partners and members of the Global South.

So those trying to smear China's reach-out to the countries as an attempt to fill the vacancy left by the United States after its administration suspended most of its foreign aid programs mostly lack a deep understanding of the cooperative and win-win nature of China's relations with the Pacific Island countries — relations built on mutual respect, equality and a shared commitment to common development.

Those who view the vast Pacific Ocean as an arena for geopolitical games between major powers are also those who would not find it improper at all to leave these island countries underdeveloped, as long as they are not cooperating with China. They are turning a deaf ear to these countries' cries for assistance as they bear the brunt of global warming.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the beginning of diplomatic relations between China and the Pacific Island countries. No matter how the international situation changes, China always regards the countries as good friends, good partners and good brothers.

In particular, President Xi Jinping emphasized in 2023 that China's policy toward the Pacific Island countries is founded on "four respects" — China respects their sovereignty and independence, will, cultural traditions, and efforts to seek strength through unity — providing strategic guidance for the building of a community with a shared future between them.

Over the past years, following the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution, shared benefits, and win-win results, China has actively supported the island countries implementing the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.

So the Third China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers' Meeting held in Xiamen, Fujian province, on Wednesday, the first time it was held offline in China since the bilateral foreign ministers' meeting mechanism was established in 2021, provided the two sides with a platform for exchanges on cooperation and international issues of common concerns.

Apart from a joint statement and a proposal on climate change released by the meeting, China also sorted out a list of concrete measures it will take to translate the consensuses and proposals to tangible benefits to local residents. The measures are related to climate change response, disaster prevention and relief, maritime cooperation, poverty alleviation, free trade, agricultural and fishery cooperation, police law enforcement cooperation, and people-to-people and cultural exchanges.

All these projects are what the Pacific Island countries need, and none of the cooperation has any strings attached with any extra conditions violating the "four respects" principles. That explains why the foreign ministers of the island countries have warmly welcomed China's proposal and support.

China has never seen the Pacific as an arena for geopolitical competition with any other major country in the region or beyond, but as a common home of all Pacific family members.

As Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his Pacific Island countries' counterparts attending the meeting, China always stands on the side of international fairness and justice, and will always be a credible and reliable partner of the Global South.

By doing all it can to contribute to the common development of the Pacific Island countries, as well as other developing countries, China is not competing with any other major country, but trying to fulfill its global responsibility as a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development and a defender of the international order.

Faced with the changes of the times and history, the country firmly believes that peace, development, cooperation and win-win results are the only correct choices. Those should also be the choice of all countries.

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