Chinese, Nauruan presidents hold talks for 1st time since resuming ties

BEIJING, March 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and Nauruan President David Adeang held talks in Beijing on Monday.

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcome ceremony for Nauruan President David Adeang in the Northern Hall of the Great Hall of the People prior to their talks in Beijing, capital of China, March 25, 2024. Xi held talks with Adeang, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Monday. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

Xi noted that Nauru's political decision to adhere to the one-China principle and restore diplomatic ties with China in January is a move that conforms to the trend of history and the times.

Friendship, no matter its beginning, will have a bright future, and cooperation, regardless of scale, will be productive as long as it is sincere, Xi said.

Xi said that China-Nauru relations have opened a new chapter in history, and China is ready to work with Nauru to create a better future for relations between the two countries and bring more benefits to the two peoples.

Xi said China welcomes Nauru as another country to sign the Belt and Road cooperation document with China, adding that China is ready to expand practical cooperation with Nauru in trade, investment and infrastructure construction, and provide assistance to Nauru for its independent and sustainable development without political strings attached.

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcome ceremony for Nauruan President David Adeang in the Northern Hall of the Great Hall of the People prior to their talks in Beijing, capital of China, March 25, 2024. Xi held talks with Adeang, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Monday. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)

Stressing that treating others as equals is a defining feature of China's diplomacy, Xi said China always believes that all countries, big or small, strong or weak, rich or poor, are equal members of the international community.

China has always been a member of the developing world, and China's vote in the United Nations Security Council always belongs to the developing countries, Xi said.

Noting that China-Nauru relations are based on mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit and mutual support, Xi said China firmly supports Nauru in safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests, and in independently pursuing a development path suited to its national conditions.

China stands ready to strengthen exchanges and dialogue with Nauru at all levels and in all fields, enhance mutual understanding and trust, and consolidate the political foundation of bilateral relations, he said.

Calling on the two sides to strengthen exchanges in education, culture, health, youth and other fields, Xi said China welcomes more young Nauruan people to study in China, and is willing to provide Nauru with assistance to address climate change within the framework of South-South cooperation.

China is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with Nauru in multilateral fields such as the United Nations and the Pacific Islands Forum, jointly advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world and inclusive economic globalization that benefits all, and safeguard the common interests of developing countries, the Chinese president said.

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds talks with Nauruan President David Adeang, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 25, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan)

Adeang said it is a great honor to be invited for a state visit to China and experience China's long history, splendid culture and vibrant development.

Not long ago, Nauru decided to stand on the right side of history and resume diplomatic relations with China on the basis of recognizing and adhering to the one-China principle, which is an important landmark in Nauru-China relations and opens a new chapter in Nauru's national development and bilateral relations, Adeang added.

He said Nauru highly appreciates China's commitment to equality among all countries, no matter big or small, and is willing to abide by the one-China principle, and continuously deepen cooperation with China.

He added that Nauru will take the resumption of diplomatic ties as an important opportunity to enhance mutual respect and understanding, facilitate personnel exchanges and cooperation in various fields, learn from China's experience, and develop a fruitful and mutually beneficial partnership.

As the world today faces many global challenges, common progress and prosperity can only be achieved through solidarity and cooperation, Adeang said, noting that the series of global initiatives put forward by President Xi Jinping is of great significance.

Adeang said Nauru is willing to actively participate in the joint Belt and Road construction, implement the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative and Global Civilization Initiative, and strengthen cooperation with China on tackling climate change.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Nauruan President David Adeang jointly witness the signing of bilateral cooperation documents in the fields of the Belt and Road cooperation, the Global Development Initiative, economic development and agriculture after their talks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 25, 2024. Xi held talks with Adeang, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Monday. (Xinhua/Liu Bin)

After the talks, the two heads of state witnessed the signing of bilateral cooperation documents in the fields of the Belt and Road cooperation, the Global Development Initiative, economic development and agriculture. ■