On the evening of April 25, 2004, State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan met with and held a banquet for the delegates of the Pacific Islands countries attending the 60th Session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) in Shanghai.
Tang said that China attaches great importance to its relations with the Pacific Islands countries. As a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, China understands and supports the reasonable demands and concerns of developing countries and supports the stance of the Islands countries on such issues as exploration and protection of marine resources, climate changes, environmental protection and prohibition of nuclear wastes into this region. Over the years, China and the Islands countries have carried out fruitful dialogue and cooperation within such multilateral frameworks as the United Nations (UN), the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Regional Forum and the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF).
Tang noted that the Chinese government supports the Island countries' efforts to develop national economy and improve livelihood of their people, and over the years has provided within its available resources economic and technological assistance to the countries in this region that have established diplomatic relations with China. These assistance programs have been closely related to the national economy and people's livelihood of the recipient countries and have brought about tangible benefits to the local people.
Tang also appreciated those countries that have established diplomatic relations with China for their years of support for the one-China principle. Furthermore, he indicated that China would like to actively develop friendly and cooperative relations with those that have not established diplomatic relations with China so as to promote the normalization of the bilateral relations with them at an earlier date.
On the same day, Tang also met with Solomon Islands Speaker of Parliament Peter Kenilorea.
Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing attended the meeting and the banquet.
