China pledges support for Pacific island nations to address climate change
China has pledged to continue its support for Pacific island nations to address climate change. Beijing apparently intends to strengthen its influence in the Pacific region by stressing that it takes a different position from the US on global warming.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his counterparts from 11 island nations, including Kiribati, the Solomon Islands, and Nauru, gathered in the city of Xiamen in China's Fujian Province.
The countries wrapped up the meetings and issued a joint statement on Thursday.
The statement refers to strengthening trade relations, and continued Chinese support for Pacific nations to deal with the challenges posed by climate change.
China's support contrasts with the reluctant stance of US President Donald Trump's administration on the issue.
The Trump administration has withdrawn the US from the Paris Agreement on climate change. It has also frozen some US aid programs in the Pacific region. The move has triggered widespread concerns.
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