On May 12th, the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the Fujian Provincial People’s Government jointly organized the China “ Pacific Region Civil Friendship Forum on the theme of ” A Bridge of People’s Friendship —.Lin Songtian, President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, Standing Committee of the Fujian Provincial Committee, Executive Deputy Governor Guo Ningning, Ambassador of the United States Department of Foreign Affairs Zhou Haicheng and Princess of the Kingdom of Tonga, Pilolevu Tuita, Lifetime Honorary Chairman of the China Friendship Association of New Zealand David Carter attended and addressed the opening ceremony. Some envoys in China, former dignitaries, local government officials, heads of friendly organizations and friendly cities, and representatives of international students from Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga and other nine Pacific countries and regions, More than 100 Chinese and foreign guests including foreign associations, colleges and corporate representatives from relevant provinces and cities gathered together to build Together, friendship, mutual cooperation, and collusion for development have reached a broad consensus on deepening the friendship and local cooperation of the Chinese and Pacific people. Lin Songtian said that this forum is the first large-scale “ please come in in more than three years. ” International exchange event held in China has been highly valued and actively responded by both China and the Pacific. Fujian is an important breeding ground and practice place for China’s characteristic socialist ideas in the new era of Xi Jinping. It is the first demonstration place for China to successfully achieve poverty alleviation. It has rich experience in open development and is also the origin of the South Island language family in the Pacific. Fujian and carefully arranged visits and exchange activities are of great significance. I believe the foreign guests attending the meeting passed the field visit，What you see and feel in person will be inspiring.Lin Songtian said that China has always attached great importance to the development of friendly and cooperative relations with Pacific island countries. President Xi Jinping visited the Pacific island countries twice to advocate for a closer community of Chinese and Pacific destiny and reached an important consensus with leaders of friendly countries in the region. China reiterates its commitment and must do what it says. Last year, China’s then State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited the friendly island countries and this forum are all important actions to promote the implementation of the important consensus reached by President Xi and regional leaders.
Lin Songtian said that China’s successful development has provided new options for countries and nations that want to accelerate development and maintain their independence. We look forward to this forum being able to build a bridge of friendly exchanges and mutually beneficial cooperation for the people of China and Pacific, and promote cooperation and win-win development.Guo Ningning said that Fujian is an important breeding ground and practice place for Chinese characteristic socialist ideas in Xi Jinping’s new era. During his work in Fujian, President Xi Jinping personally promoted friendly exchanges between Fujian and countries in the Pacific region, and created a series of innovative ideas and vivid practices. Fujian has continued to deepen friendly exchanges and pragmatic cooperation with countries in the Pacific region. It has concluded 12 pairs of International Friendship, and has achieved positive results in getting rid of poverty and sharing development experience. At present, Fujian is studying in depth to implement the 20th spirit of the Chinese Communist Party, and continue to expand high-level opening to the outside world. He is willing to further deepen economic and trade cooperation with countries in the Pacific region, close humanities exchanges, strengthen solidarity and cooperation, and jointly implement global development initiatives and the United Nations. The 2030 sustainable development agenda has achieved high-quality development of openness, cooperation, tolerance and win-win results. Princess Tuita said that China treats all countries, large and small, or far and near, as equal friends, respects each other, and actively implements the foreign policy of “ to teach people to fish ”. Trade, investment and capacity building support regional countries to achieve autonomous and sustainable development, but never interfere in our internal affairs. China’s initiative has played an important role in promoting world economic development. The Pacific Friendship Association promotes the “ Maritime Silk Road” to extend to the Pacific region and expand to “ Maritime Pearl Road ”, thereby further enhancing the economic and trade cooperation and human exchange in Taizhong, building a lasting foundation for friendship and cooperation between the two sides.
The former speaker of Carter said that what I admire most is China’s economic achievements over the past 75 years. This is the most magical economic take-off in the history of human civilization in my life, and the greatest economic miracle in human history. This fully proves that its values apply to China. Denying Chinese values and international status is ignoring reality. Chinese values are different from those of New Zealand. Every country has the right to define its own unique values, but it has no right to impose its own values on others. We should look at the differences between each other in accordance with the principles of mutual respect and understanding, develop well, and maintain the values of our respective countries so that our people can enjoy a prosperous life.Zhou Haicheng said that China and countries in the Pacific region are co-located in the Asia-Pacific region. For a long time, the people of both sides have learned and supported each other. By strengthening pragmatic cooperation, improving people’s well-being, and promoting popular communication, both sides have continued to deepen their understanding and mutual trust. The 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party drew a grand blueprint for the comprehensive advancement of the great revival of the Chinese nation with Chinese-style modernization, providing new historical opportunities for developing countries, including Pacific island countries. China will uphold the correct concept of righteousness and true ingenuity, and unswervingly deepen its comprehensive strategic partnership with Pacific island countries to help island countries promote economic development and improvement of people’s livelihood.
During the forum, the Chinese and foreign guests at the meeting shared their experiences and successful practices on issues such as poverty alleviation and rural revitalization, green development and marine economy, friendly city cooperation and humanities exchange, and jointly looked forward to the broad cooperation prospects in related fields, forming a positive consensus，And unanimously appreciated and thanked the organizers for deepening the civil and local friendly exchange and cooperation platform established by China and regional countries.The Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, the People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries in Fujian Province, and Shanghai Ocean University also signed cooperation memorandums with the Pacific China Friendship Association.
（ Source: Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries ）