Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson's Remarks

2021-11-14 10:06

Associated Press: There are media reports that China has influenced the Kiribati government to open up to commercial fishing a large marine reserve in its waters, effectively de-registering it as a UNESCO world heritage site and that China could potentially develop strategic infrastructure on Kanton Island. What is your reaction to these two claims being made in Australian and New Zealand media?

Wang Wenbin: China fully respects the will of the government and people in the cooperation with Pacific island countries including Kiribati. Conducted in an open and aboveboard manner, such cooperation is widely welcomed by various sectors in those countries. It is hoped that relevant sides can view this in an objective light and stop unwarranted hype.