China's Aid Benefits the Pacific Island Countries

中国的援助惠及太平洋岛国

Cheng Jingye, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to the Commonwealth of Australia

中国驻澳大利亚大使 成竞业

The recent allegations made by the Australian Minister for International Development about China's aid to the Pacific Island countries are both groundless and irresponsible. Those comments are naturally disputed by countries such as Samoa, PNG and Fiji, and even cause quite some criticism in Australia.

近日，澳大利亚国际发展部长关于中国对太平洋岛国援助的指责，既不符合事实，也是不负责任的。她的言论理所当然遭到萨摩亚、巴新、斐济等太平洋岛国的质疑。甚至澳大利亚国内也不乏批评之声。

As the largest developing country in the world, China has been all along committed to providing all possible assistance to other developing countries within the framework of South-South cooperation. This is a key demonstration of China's role as a responsible major power. In providing foreign aid, the Chinese government always attaches no political strings, and fully respects the wishes and needs of the recipient countries. Moreover, our assistance aims to produce win-win outcomes. In the meantime, China often bears in mind the debt-paying ability and solvency of recipient countries, avoiding causing too much debt burden to recipient countries. All relevant projects have been conducted with careful feasibility study and market research, so that they deliver the desired economic and social benefits.

作为世界上最大的发展中国家，中国始终在南南合作框架下向其他发展中国家提供力所能及的援助。这是中国负责任大国作用的重要体现。在对外援助中，中国始终坚持不附带任何政治条件，切实尊重受援国意愿和需求，并坚持互利共赢。同时，我们始终充分考虑受援国的负债情况和偿还能力，避免受援国承受过大债务负担。所有相关援建项目都要经过认真的可行性研究和市场化论证，以确保它们都能取得应有的经济和社会效益。

Based on the above-mentioned principles and considerations, China has provided the Pacific Island countries with large amount of aid over the years. Firstly, China supports these countries with their poverty reduction and livelihood improvement, which includes sending agricultural experts and technical groups, building demonstration farms, building or refurbishing schools, sending medical groups, and building sports stadiums. Secondly, China helps the Island countries build infrastructures, including roads, bridges, ports and power plants. Thirdly, China actively carries out human resources training programs for the Pacific Island countries. China also supports the Pacific Plan aiming at promoting regional cooperation, endorsed by Pacific Island countries.

基于上述原则和考虑，中国多年来向岛国提供了大量援助。一是支持岛国减贫和改善民生，包括派遣农业专家和技术组、援建示范农场、援建或翻修校舍、派遣医疗队、援建体育场馆等。二是帮助岛国建设公路、桥梁、码头、电站等基础设施。三是积极开展人力资源培训项目。中国还支持岛国提出的旨在推进区域合作进程的“太平洋计划”。

It is evident that China's aid has significantly promote economic and social development of these countries and delivered tangible benefits to the local people, which has been widely welcomed and fully appreciated by the governments and people of these countries. At the opening ceremony of the China-aided Stinson Parade Bridge and Vatuwaqa Bridge recently, Fijian Prime Minister Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama referred China as "Fiji's staunch cooperation partner and sincere friend". The PIF Chair Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi told the media this week, "China comes to our assistance on the basis of our requests, on what we know is suitable for Samoa." In August 2017, at the completion handover ceremony for the Project of Rehabilitation and Extension of Luganville Main Wharf, Vanuatu Prime Minister Charlot Salwai said, "The Vanuatu-China relations are broadening and deepening. Our strategic partnership with China has brought us many benefits and is far from exhausting its potential."

事实证明，中方援助极大地促进了这些国家的经济社会发展，为当地人民带来实实在在的好处，受到有关国家政府和人民的普遍欢迎和充分肯定。斐济总理姆拜尼马拉马日前在中国援建的斯丁森桥和瓦图瓦桥通车仪式上表示，中国是斐济坚定的合作伙伴和真诚朋友。太平洋岛国论坛轮值主席、萨摩亚总理图伊拉埃日前在接受采访时表示，萨欢迎中国援助，中国对萨所有援建项目均系应萨方要求实施并得到了很好利用。瓦努阿图总理萨尔维2017年8月在中国援建的卢甘维尔码头改扩建项目竣工移交仪式上表示，瓦中两国在不同领域开展了许多务实合作，瓦政府和人民获益良多。

No one knows better than the people and governments of the Pacific Island countries on whether China's assistance is productive or not. We urge relevant Australian official and some of the media to abandon bias, bigotry and narrow mindset, stop pointing fingers at and making irresponsible remarks on China's sincere assistance to the Pacific Island countries. As General Secretary Xi Jinping put forward at the 19th CPC National Congress, "China will increase assistance to other developing countries, especially the least developed countries, and do its part to reduce the North-South development gap." China will provide the Pacific Island countries with necessary support and assistance as always, and pursue common development with them jointly. We are also happy to see Australia earnestly fulfill its commitments to render assistance to the Pacific Island countries.

中国的援助在太平洋岛国是否有成效，岛国人民和政府最有发言权。我们奉劝澳大利亚有关官员和媒体摒弃偏见、偏执和狭隘心理，停止对中国对岛国的真诚援助指手画脚、妄加评论。正如习近平总书记在中国共产党第十九次代表大会上所说：“中国将加大对发展中国家特别是最不发达国家援助力度，促进缩小南北发展差距。”中国将一如既往地向岛国提供必要支持与帮助，与它们一道共谋发展。我们也乐见澳大利亚切实履行对岛国的援助义务。