Win-win economics: Putting China's South Pacific partnerships in focus

Xiamen City, in Fujian Province, is playing host to the third China-Pacific Islands Countries (PICs) Foreign Ministers' Meeting, from Wednesday to Thursday, bringing together leadership from 11 Pacific nations, for talks on cooperation and development with the world's second largest economy.

According to data released by China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the total trade volume between China and PICs grew from $153 million in 1992 to $5.3 billion in 2021, registering an annual average increase of 13 percent and expanding over 30 times in 30 years. 2024 saw a total trade volume of $6.36 billion, with PICs maintaining a trade surplus, where key commodities included forestry and marine products. 

In recent years, China has implemented a number of key infrastructure projects, such as the Independence Boulevard of Papua New Guinea and the Malekula Road in Vanuatu, to accelerate the interconnection of island countries.

In a report compiled by the United Nations Development Fund (UNDF), China has been actively and indirectly contributing to climate change adaptation projects in the region, across key areas of development, including infrastructure, agriculture, health and education, as well as renewable energy. 

China's financial support for Fiji is particularly worthy of attention, a researcher at the New Zealand Asia Institute at Auckland University wrote in an opinion article for China Daily. She added that China's investment includes a large number of infrastructure projects, such as building a new airport terminal and improving the road network.

It's an apt time to review Samoa's partnership with China, said Afioga Fiame Naomi Mata'afa, prime minister of Samoa, in an interview with China Media Group (CMG) ahead of the meeting, adding that it is a "critical juncture" to consolidate the successes and establishing what are the future areas of development.  

Creating value-added, business-based activities should be the next step forward, said Mata'afa.