Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has this afternoon highly commended the United States of America and the People’s Republic of China for their pledges to work together with the nations of the Pacific.
Prime Minister Marape made the remarks after statements were issued to the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting by US Deputy Secretary of State, Dr. Kurt Campbell, and the Chinese Government Special Envoy for Pacific Island Countries, Qian Bo, on having the two countries build stronger presence in the Pacific, and working together with the 18 members of the PIF to address issues and challenges being faced by these nations.
Prime Minister Marape said, “For me, one of the highlights of the moment was to see the US and China laying aside any difference, and pledging to work together. Besides many other highlights including setting up of our Climate Resilience Fund and further commitments to work together to isolate climate change issues, the major highlight for me was USA and China pledging to work together with us the Pacific Island nations on matters that mean greatly to us – economy, climate change, among others.
“In my five years of holding foreign relations meetings, I have never heard such public pronouncements of United States and China agreeing to work together as closely as pledged today. I highly commend Dr. Campbell and the Chinese special envoy on their uniting to arrive at one solid voice.
“The PIF just might have done something quite historical here, and that is successfully getting our superpowers to come together to work in the Pacific region. Needless to say, both nations share with us the great Pacific Ocean, and it is essential that we all learn to co-exist. That is the way of the Pacific living together in peace, harmony, balance.
“I am also pleased that China has taken our advice on board and has stepped up big on trade and commerce, and people-to-people assistance without any considerations for the security aspect of the relationship. I have been working this line with them so it was good to hear China say they are not competing with anyone in the security space, and that they will work for the common good of all with no discrimination.”
The Prime Minister also lauded China for its transition to clean energy which was also announced at the summit.
“For many of our Small Island Countries of the Pacific falling victims to the ravaging impact of climate change in rising sea levels and drastic weather patterns, I am pleased to hear this announcement. China has made known that they have moved past 50 percent in renewable energy and also over 50 percent of their vehicles now operate on electricity. I commend them.”
In turn, Prime Minister Marape commended the United States on its contribution of $25 million to the Pacific Climate Resilience Fund and its pledge to work with the PIF members on cleaner energy solutions for the Pacific.
“I commend United States for the step up in the Pacific without compromising PIF members’ rights for association with all nations, including China.
“I am very pleased to note that both our leading nations have made their stands known, and that is to work more closely with us in our region. This is excellent news for the region and the peoples of the Pacific,” said Prime Minister Marape.
PM Marape congratulated the leaders of Tonga for successfully hosting a productive session of the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ meeting.