On June 29, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun responded at a regular press conference to a question about China's cooperation with Vanuatu, stating that the cooperation is based on mutual respect, equal consultation, mutual benefit, openness and inclusiveness. China will expand friendly exchanges and cooperation in various fields according to Vanuatu's wishes and needs. Guo emphasised that China's cooperation with Pacific island countries is open and aboveboard, neither coercive nor targeted at third parties, and is genuinely welcomed by the people of the island countries.

Specific details of the cooperation were not announced.

This statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirms China's consistent principles of cooperation with Pacific island countries, emphasising equality and transparency. For New Zealand small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), this sends two signals: first, China's economic engagement in the Pacific region will continue to deepen, potentially bringing more infrastructure and trade opportunities; second, the cooperation is not targeted at third parties, meaning New Zealand businesses in the region need not worry excessively about geopolitical exclusion, and can instead explore cooperation with Chinese capital or differentiated competition. For example, in Vanuatu's agriculture and fisheries sectors, New Zealand enterprises can leverage their quality advantages to complement Chinese investment.

However, Chinese aid and investment in island countries may crowd out some traditional markets, so SMEs need to monitor local demand changes and flexibly adjust export strategies. Looking ahead, if the regional cooperation framework becomes more open, New Zealand may leverage China's connections with island countries to expand its South Pacific business.

Keywords: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Guo Jiakun, Vanuatu, Pacific Island Countries, cooperation, aboveboard, mutual benefit, press conference, Chinese diplomacy

6月29日，外交部发言人郭嘉昆在例行记者会上回应中方与瓦努阿图合作提问时表示，双方合作基于相互尊重、平等协商、互利共赢、开放包容原则，中方将根据瓦努阿图的意愿和需求拓展各领域友好交流合作。郭嘉昆强调，中方同太平洋岛国的合作光明磊落、坦坦荡荡，既不强制也不针对第三方，受到岛国人民真诚欢迎。具体合作细节未公布。

此次外交部表态重申了中国与太平洋岛国合作的一贯原则，强调平等和透明度。对新西兰中小企业而言，这释放了两个信号：一是中国在太平洋地区的经济参与将继续深化，可能带来更多基建和贸易机会；二是合作不针对第三方，意味着新西兰企业在该区域不必过度担忧地缘政治排斥，反而可探索与中资合作或差异化竞争。例如，在瓦努阿图的农业、渔业领域，新西兰企业可凭借质量优势与中国投资形成互补。

但同时，中国对岛国的援助和投资可能挤占部分传统市场，中小企业需关注当地需求变化，灵活调整出口策略。展望未来，区域合作框架若更开放，新西兰或可借助中国与岛国的联系拓展南太业务。

关键词: 外交部, 郭嘉昆, 瓦努阿图, 太平洋岛国, 合作, 光明磊落, 互利共赢, 记者会, 中国外交

Photo by Chen Te on Pexels

Source: Global Times