Editor's Note: Shortly after wrapping up his 10-day eight-country tour in the South Pacific, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi told domestic media on Sunday that China's cooperation with the Pacific island countries is open, transparent and above board, and will stand the test of time. The following are excerpts of his remarks.

It should be noted that there are no political strings attached to China's cooperation with these countries, which is not imposed on any party and does not target any third party. China does not pursue a so-called sphere of influence.

China's cooperation with the Pacific island countries has always been based on their needs and is focused on their economic development and improving people's livelihoods.

We are working together to address climate change, the most pressing challenge facing the islands.

We will leverage China's strengths in new and renewable energy to help these island countries secure their green and low-carbon transitions.

China is helping the island countries promote diversified development and achieve modernization. We are ready to share our development experience with them, help them turn their resource advantages into development advantages as soon as possible and enhance their capacity for independent development.

Together, we can do a good job of developing the blue economy, which is the key to the sustainable development of the island countries. The island countries have vast exclusive economic zones, rich marine and fishery resources, and great potential to develop the blue economy. China is also willing to help the island countries develop their digital economy.

China is ready to help and support the Pacific island countries in their historical mission of accelerating development and rejuvenation.

For the Pacific island countries, China is not a "newcomer", but an "old friend". It has been nearly half a century since China and the island countries established diplomatic relations. We have become friends and partners of mutual assistance and mutual friendship. The all-round development of China's relations with the island countries is not something that happened out of nowhere, but something that comes naturally.

China has no interest in competing for influence or engaging in geopolitical competition. China respects the ties it has established with other countries, as well as the ties the Pacific island countries have with Australia and New Zealand. China has carried out some trilateral cooperation with Australia and New Zealand in the island countries as well, which has yielded good results and is also supported and welcomed by the island countries.

China will continue to adopt an open attitude and carry out more trilateral or quadrilateral cooperation with Australia and New Zealand in the South Pacific region in accordance with the wishes of the island countries so as to leverage our respective strengths and form greater synergy.