On February 25, 2005, Premier Wen Jiabao of the State Council held talks at the Great Hall of the People with Prime Minister Ham Lini of Vanuatu who was paying a formal visit to China.

Wen sang high praise for the stern position taken by the new administration of Vanuatu and its firm opposition to the erroneous decision of the previous administration on the Taiwan issue. Both sides agreed to eliminate barriers, enhance mutual trust and deepen cooperation so as to push forward the continuous development of bilateral relations.

Wen said relations between China and Vanuatu have witnessed substantial development and bilateral cooperation in various fields has yielded significant achievements since the two countries established diplomatic ties. The assistance China has offered to Vanuatu over the years has generated sound economic and social returns in Vanuatu and brought tangible benefits to its people. Practice has proven that to develop China-Vanuatu friendly relations is compliant with the common interests of both countries and peoples.

Wen noted the one-China principle is the precondition and an important political assurance for the smooth development of China-Vanuatu relations. China appreciates the stance of the new administration of Vanuatu to explicitly indicate its adherence to the one-China policy and not to engage in official exchanges in any form with Taiwan. China believes all countries, whether large or small, rich or poor, strong or weak, are members of the international community and should treat each other as equals, get well along with each other and conduct mutually beneficial cooperation with each other so as to achieve common development. We would like to continue to consolidate China-Vanuatu political relations, promote exchanges between the two governments, parliaments and political parties, actively promote bilateral economic and trade cooperation as well as economic and technical cooperation, and enhance bilateral coordination and collaboration in international and regional affairs.

Wen also elaborated the Chinese government's policy toward the South Pacific. He indicated that the Chinese government supports the efforts made by the nations in the South Pacific including Vanuatu to forge solidarity through alliance, develop their economy and safeguard their legitimate rights.

Lini said the government and people of Vanuatu regard China as a sincere partner and oppose any attempt aimed to change the one-China policy upheld by his country. The government and people of Vanuatu are pleased to see the achievements in bilateral cooperation and are deeply grateful to China for its economic and technical assistance. The economic and trade cooperation between Vanuatu and China boasts great potential and Vanuatu expects the two sides to strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation in agriculture, fishery and tourism. He also expressed the hope for China to continue to play its part in promoting the development of the nations in the South Pacific.

Following the talks, Wen and Lini signed the joint communiqué between the governments of China and Vanuatu and attended the signing ceremony of the economic and technical cooperation agreements.

Prior to the talks, Wen held a welcoming ceremony in the North Hall of the Great Hall of the People to welcome Lini's visit to China. Also present at the ceremony were Vice Chairman of the Central Committee of China Association for Promoting Democracy Chen Nanxian, Minister of Commerce Bo Xilai, Chinese Ambassador to Vanuatu Bao Shusheng and other officials.