China, Pacific Island nations boost cooperation on climate resilience

The China-Pacific Island Countries Green Development and Cooperation Alliance was officially launched in 2024 in Liaocheng city, east China's Shandong Province, to foster long-term collaboration in green and low-carbon development.

By engaging enterprises, business associations and research institutions, the initiative supports Pacific Island Countries (PICs) in achieving energy transition, ecosystem protection and climate-resilient infrastructure.

Since its establishment in 2022, the China-Pacific Island Countries Climate Change Cooperation Center has served as a key South-South cooperation platform.

Through six rounds of targeted training, the center has trained over 120 government officials and technical professionals from countries such as Fiji, Samoa, Kiribati, Micronesia, and the Solomon Islands.

The training programs cover diverse topics, from climate monitoring and risk assessment to green energy policies and nature-based solutions, focusing on both theory and practical case studies to meet the real needs of these island nations.

For instance, the 2022 South-South Cooperation training on climate change and green development was conducted online, drawing over 40 experts from six PICs, including Kiribati, Tonga and Vanuatu.

This open and inclusive approach has promoted cross-border knowledge flows and collaborative innovation. The program also provided policy insights and technical exchanges that strengthened decision-making in those countries.

China and the PICs are expected to expand cooperation in climate finance, early warning systems, and adaptation planning.

China's experience in green development provides practical models for international collaboration. At the same time, the island countries' local ecological knowledge and community-based governance can contribute valuable lessons to global climate resilience efforts.

(Cover: Villagers relax inside cabanas along Vavau Beach in Samoa, March 23, 2025. /VCG)