On October 18 to 19, 2007, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Yesui attended the 19th meeting between the Pacific Islands Forum and its dialogue partners in Nuku'alofa, capital of Tonga, on behalf of the Chinese government. Present at the meeting are leaders and government ministers from the 16 PIF member countries, as well as representatives from 14 dialogue partners including the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, the European Union, Indonesia, Thailand, the Republic of Korea and India. Issues of common concern including the situation in island countries, climate change, energy, fishery, tourism and public health were discussed at the meeting.

In his speech delivered at the meeting, Zhang said China has always attached importance to its relationship with Pacific islands countries. The ultimate goal of China's Pacific islands policy is the maintenance of the regional stability and the promotion of common development, he said. He praised the progress PIF has made in regional cooperation and pursuit of common development. He also briefed the Forum members on China's stand on conservation of resources, climate change, energy security and sustainable development. Zhang said the Chinese government will continue to carry out a series of preferential policies in support of a more rapid development of island countries, which were announced by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao at the China-Pacific Island Countries Economic Development and Cooperation Forum in Fiji, in April 2006. He said China is willing to strengthen the exchange and cooperation with all the island countries in an effort to further cement bilateral ties and contribute more to the prosperity and stability in the region.

Expressing welcome to Zhang who headed the Chinese government delegation to the meeting, forum members spoke highly of the generous assistance China has provided to the region over the past many years and thanked for China's support and assistance to island countries in regional and international affairs as well as on sustainable development and other issues. They looked forward to a further enhanced cooperation with China in relevant areas.