29/07/2026
South-South Cooperation: Pacific Island lawmakers explore China's development experience in Yunnan
A group of lawmakers from Pacific Island nations are visiting southwestern Yunnan Province to experience China's development. They are discovering how communities there are balancing economic growth, environmental protection and cultural preservation. Yang Jinghao has more.
Distinctive ethnic performances from Yunnan, a province known for its ethnic diversity and cultural heritage.
Lawmakers from Pacific Island nations were captivated by the region's vibrant traditions.
AFAMASAGA LEONE MATI MASAME Deputy Speaker, Parliament of Samoa "They look beautiful and it's so touching, so amazing how they do it. I really enjoyed it."
This is one stop during the lawmakers' week-long visit in Yunnan.
During their field trips, they visit local villages, urban communities and enterprises, gaining insights into China's approaches to rural revitalization, ecological conservation, grass-roots governance and technological innovation.
JOHN SALONG Member of Parliament, Vanuatu "We are very much impressed by everything that is happening in China – in terms of modernization, in terms of the whole-process democracy, what we see in terms of maintenance of the ethnic groups here, it's just fantastic."
AFAMASAGA LEONE MATI MASAME Deputy Speaker, Parliament of Samoa "In terms of farming and agriculture, that's what we pretty much needed from China back home, it's a very good development here."
Earlier this month, when meeting his Solomon Islands counterpart, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said China's relations with Pacific Island countries aim to strengthen South-South cooperation and promote common development, with no geopolitical agenda.
Currently, China and Pacific Island countries are working together on seven cooperation platforms. Areas include poverty reduction, disaster prevention and agricultural development.
JOHN SALONG Member of Parliament, Vanuatu "In the process of managing environment, we have a lot more to do together – managing the air pollution, water pollution, managing the challenges of climate change."
RITETA IOROME Member of Parliament, Kiribati "We need development, and we want to be part of China's development experience. We'd like to invite Chinese experts to come to Kiribati and do some research, especially in culture."
YANG JINGHAO Kunming, Yunnan Province "From the Pacific Islands to colorful Yunnan, lawmakers have witnessed how local communities are pursuing development while protecting nature. This journey is not only about learning from China's experience, it's about finding more opportunities to work together in the future. YJH, CGTN, Kunming, Yunnan Province."
