China is willing to push its ties with the Federated States of Micronesia to a new level, Chinese President Xi Jinping said when meeting with FSM President Wesley W. Simina in Beijing on Tuesday.

Xi said that China supports the FSM in safeguarding its national sovereignty and independence, following a path of development in line with its national conditions, revitalizing its economy and improving people's livelihood.

China is willing to work together with the FSM to take the 35th anniversary since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries as a new starting point, maintain exchanges and dialogues at all levels, strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields, he said.

The two sides should adhere to the political positioning of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, adhere to mutually beneficial win-win cooperation for common development, accelerate Belt and Road cooperation, strengthen cooperation in infrastructure projects, and closely cooperate in people-to-people exchanges in culture, health and education, said Xi.

He welcomed more young people from the FSM to come to China for study.

China is willing to provide assistance to the FSM in addressing climate change within the framework of South-South cooperation, as well as capacity building training, said Xi.

China will strengthen coordination and cooperation with the FSM within multilateral frameworks such as the United Nations and the Pacific Islands Forum to jointly practice multilateralism and uphold justice, he said.

Xi said that China's development of relations with the Pacific island countries is mutual help within the framework of South-South cooperation, which is neither targeted at any third party nor should be interfered by any third party.

China maintains that, in developing relations with Pacific island countries, all countries should uphold the autonomy of the island countries, featuring development as the priority, as well as openness and inclusiveness, he said.

Pacific island countries have the right to choose their own path of development in line with their national conditions and to engage in friendly cooperation with all development partners, he said, adding that China is willing to continue to provide support within its capacity for the development of island countries and carry out tripartite or multi-party cooperation.

Simina said the FSM firmly adheres to the one-China principle and supports China's position on issues concerning China's core interests including Taiwan, Hong Kong, Xinjiang and Xizang.

He thanked China for its long-standing valuable assistance to the economic and social development of the FSM and other Pacific island countries, and expressed willingness to deepen cooperation in the areas of agriculture, fisheries, trade, investment, tourism and digital economy under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, as well as to jointly address climate change.

China's cooperation with the Pacific Island region is conducive to regional peace and development, and the two countries will continue to actively promote cooperation between the islands and China, he said.

After their talks, the two heads of state witnessed the signing of a number of bilateral cooperation documents in areas including Belt and Road cooperation, green development, agriculture, health care, infrastructure, and development cooperation.

(From: CGTN; Cover: Chinese President Xi Jinping holds talks with President of the Federated States of Micronesia Wesley W. Simina in Beijing, China, April 9, 2024. /CMG)