11月14日，在對巴布亞新幾內亞獨立國進行國事訪問前夕，國家主席習近平在巴布亞新幾內亞《信使郵報》、《國民報》發表題為《讓中國同太平洋島國關系揚帆再啟航》的署名文章。文章如下：
On November 14, Chinese President Xi Jinping published a signed article titled “Set Sail on a New Voyage for Relations Between China and Pacific Island Countries” on Post-Courier and The National in Papua New Guinea (PNG) ahead of his state visit to the Pacific island country. The full text is as follows:
讓中國同太平洋島國關系揚帆再啟航
Set Sail on a New Voyage for Relations Between China and Pacific Island Countries
中華人民共和國主席 習近平
Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China
我即將對著名的“天堂鳥之國”巴布亞新幾內亞進行國事訪問，并出席在巴新舉行的亞太經合組織第二十六次領導人非正式會議。這將是我首次到訪巴新，也是中國國家主席首次對巴新進行國事訪問。我對此充滿期待。
I will soon pay a state visit to Papua New Guinea, famed as home to the birds of paradise, and attend the 26th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting there. It will not only be my first visit to the country, but also the first-ever state visit by a Chinese President. I have great expectations for this trip.
巴新是面積最大、人口最多的太平洋島國，自然資源豐富，發展潛力巨大，是一片充滿希望的熱土。近年來，在奧尼爾總理領導下，巴新政府和人民積極進取、奮發圖強，國家發展欣欣向榮，社會面貌煥然一新。我衷心祝愿巴新在國家建設和經濟社會發展的道路上不斷取得新的更大成就，預祝巴新這次主辦亞太經合組織領導人非正式會議獲得圓滿成功。
Being the largest and most populous Pacific island country and endowed with abundant natural resources, Papua New Guinea has enormous potential for development and is truly a land of great promise. In recent years, thanks to the leadership of Prime Minister Peter O’Neill and great work of the government and the industrious and enterprising people of this country, Papua New Guinea has thrived in national development and its society has taken on a new look. I sincerely wish Papua New Guinea even greater achievements in economic and social development and full success in hosting this year’s APEC meeting.
中國同巴新友好交往源遠流長。早在100多年前就有華人漂洋過海來到這里，扎根當地、辛勤勞動，為巴新經濟社會發展作出了重要貢獻。1976年兩國建交以來，雙方堅持相互尊重、平等相待、互利共贏，中國同巴新關系經受住了國際風云變幻考驗，歷久彌新。
China’s friendly interactions with Papua New Guinea go a long way back. More than 100 years ago, there were Chinese travelling across the seas to Papua New Guinea who settled down and, with their hard work, made important contribution to the economic and social development of the country. China and Papua New Guinea established diplomatic relations in 1976. Since then, our two countries have treated each other with respect and as equals, and have pursued mutual benefit and win-win cooperation. Our relationship has stood the test of changing international circumstances and stayed as strong as ever.
近年來，兩國關系進入了快速發展的新階段。巴新是中國在太平洋島國地區第一大貿易伙伴，中國成為巴新第一大外資來源地和第一大工程承包方。中國援建的獨立大道、國際會議中心將為巴新主辦這次亞太經合組織領導人非正式會議發揮重要作用；中國醫療隊16年如一日為巴新民眾提供人道主義醫療服務；使用中國政府優惠貸款建設的水電站、醫院、校舍成為巴新各地的新地標；中國公司積極響應巴新政府提出的“2030發展戰略”，在巴新全國參與建設公路、橋梁、機場、碼頭。
In recent years, bilateral ties have entered a new stage of rapid growth. Today, Papua New Guinea is China’s largest trading partner in the region, while China is the biggest foreign investor and project contractor in this country. For example, the Independence Boulevard and International Convention Centre, which will play an important role in Papua New Guinea’s hosting of the APEC meeting, are both built with Chinese assistance. For sixteen years running, Chinese medical teams have provided humanitarian health services to the people of Papua New Guinea. Hydropower stations, hospitals and school dormitories financed by Chinese government concessional loans have become landmark buildings across the country. And in an active response to the PNG government’s Development Strategic Plan 2010-2030, Chinese companies have taken part in the construction of roads, bridges, airports and docks locally.
18年前，我擔任中國福建省省長期間，曾推動實施福建省援助巴新東高地省菌草、旱稻種植技術示范項目。我高興地得知，這一項目持續運作至今，發揮了很好的經濟社會效益，成為中國同巴新關系發展的一段佳話。
Eighteen years ago when I was Governor of China’s Fujian Province, I personally pushed for a demonstration project to help the Eastern Highland Province with mushroom and upland rice planting. I am glad to learn that this project, still in operation to this day, has produced good economic and social benefits for the local community and become a success story in the growth of China-Papua New Guinea relations.
我期待著通過這次訪問，同巴新方一道努力，增進相互信任，拓展務實合作，擴大人文交流，推動中國同巴新關系再上新臺階。
In my upcoming visit, I look forward to working with your leaders to cement mutual trust, expand practical cooperation, and increase people-to-people exchanges in order to take our bilateral ties to a new level.
中國同巴新關系的迅速發展，是中國同太平洋島國整體關系發展的縮影。4年前，我在斐濟楠迪同8個建交太平洋島國領導人舉行集體會晤，各方一致同意建立相互尊重、共同發展的戰略伙伴關系，中國同島國關系進入了新的歷史時期，煥發出新的勃勃生機。中國和島國在推動雙邊關系發展實踐中，堅持了以下原則。
The rapid growth of China-Papua New Guinea relations is an epitome of China’s overall relations with Pacific island countries. Four years ago in Nadi, Fiji, I had a group meeting with leaders of the eight Pacific island countries having diplomatic ties with China, during which we agreed to forge a strategic partnership featuring mutual respect and common development, thus heralding a new dynamic stage in our relations. The following principles have been adhered to in the development of relations between China and Pacific island countries.
——堅持相互尊重。中國和島國視彼此為真誠朋友和友好伙伴。中方堅持大小國家一律平等，堅定支持島國人民走符合自身國情的發展道路，支持島國在國際事務中發揮應有作用。島國在涉及中國核心利益和重大關切問題上長期給予中方寶貴支持。
– We have stayed committed to treating each other with mutual respect. China and Pacific island countries take each other as true friends and good partners. China believes that all countries are equal, regardless of their size. We support the people of Pacific island countries in pursuing development paths suited to their national circumstances and support Pacific island countries in playing a due role in international affairs. On their part, Pacific island countries have, for decades, lent valuable support to China on issues involving China’s core interests and major concerns.
——堅持深化合作。中國同島國經貿交往日益密切，經濟技術合作更加深入，共同利益的蛋糕不斷做大。巴新的液化天然氣、斐濟的礦泉水、湯加的南瓜、密克羅尼西亞聯邦的金槍魚等特色商品已經成功進入中國市場。中國在力所能及范圍內為島國發展建設提供支持和援助，為促進島國經濟發展、增進人民福祉作出了貢獻。
– We have stayed committed to deepening cooperation. Closer business ties and deeper economic and technological cooperation have made the pie of common interests between China and Pacific island countries even larger. A number of island specialties, including liquefied natural gas of Papua New Guinea, mineral water of Fiji, squash pumpkin of Tonga, and tuna fish of the Federated States of Micronesia, have made their way into the Chinese market. China has done what it can to support and assist in the development of the island countries, thus contributing to economic growth and people’s welfare in this part of the world.
——堅持民心相通。中國赴島國游客年均超過10萬人次。大量島國青年學生、政府官員、技術人員到中國學習深造、考察研修。雙方文藝團組交流互訪頻繁。中國海軍“和平方舟”醫院船訪問巴新、斐濟、湯加、瓦努阿圖，為2萬多名島國民眾提供了人道主義診療服務。
– We have stayed committed to building people-to-people links. Over 100,000 Chinese tourists visit Pacific island countries each year. Students, government officials and technicians from Pacific island countries also visit or study in China in large numbers. There have been frequent exchanges between cultural and art troupes of the two sides. China’s hospital ship “Peace Ark” has visited Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Tonga and Vanuatu, providing humanitarian medical services to more than 20,000 local people.
“相知無遠近，萬里尚為鄰。”事實證明，浩瀚的太平洋是中國同島國關系發展的紐帶。放眼全球，新一輪科技革命和產業變革深入發展，如何把握機遇、共克時艱、加快發展，是中國和島國共同的歷史任務，也是雙方人民共同的美好心愿。這次訪問巴新期間，我再次邀請8個建交太平洋島國領導人在巴新相聚，共敘友好情誼，共商發展大計，讓中國同島國關系揚帆再啟航。
The Chinese often say, “Distance cannot separate true friends who remain close even when thousands of miles apart.” The vast Pacific Ocean is indeed a bond between China and Pacific island countries. As the new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation gains momentum across the world, our two sides face the common task to seize opportunities, overcome difficulties and speed up development, as this meets the shared aspiration of both our peoples. During my visit to Papua New Guinea, I will invite leaders of the eight Pacific island countries that have diplomatic relations with China to join me once again in a gathering to renew friendship, explore new ways of development and chart the course for future growth of our relations.
第一，戰略互信要再上新臺階。中國將同包括太平洋島國在內的廣大發展中國家堅定站在一起。中方將秉持真實親誠理念和正確義利觀加強同太平洋島國的團結合作，支持島國發展，促進縮小南北發展差距。中國愿和島國共同推動構建新型國際關系，推動構建人類命運共同體。
First, we need to bring our strategic trust to a higher level. China will stand firm with Pacific island countries and all other developing countries. Following a policy of pursuing the greater good and shared interests under the principles of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith, China will enhance solidarity and cooperation with Pacific island countries, support their development, and help narrow down the development gap between the North and the South. China will work with Pacific island countries to build a new type of international relations and a community with a shared future for mankind.
第二，共同發展要再添新動力。中方愿擴大同島國在貿易和投資等領域務實合作，歡迎太平洋島國根據自身條件和優勢，結合本國發展戰略和規劃積極參與共建“一帶一路”。相信共建“一帶一路”將為中國同島國、各個島國之間以及島國同世界其他國家加強經貿聯系和互聯互通、更好參與經濟全球化進程提供新的路徑。
Second, we need to lend fresh impetus to our common development. China will expand practical cooperation with Pacific island countries in trade and investment, and encourage their active participation in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in line with their own national conditions, strengths and development strategies. I am convinced that the BRI will open up new pathways for Pacific island countries to enhance business ties and connectivity with China, among themselves and with the rest of the world, and for the island countries to take a greater part in economic globalisation.
第三，人民友誼要再譜新篇章。島國有句諺語：“友誼是沙漠中的水渠。”我們愿同島國不斷擴大文化、教育、衛生、體育、青年、地方、人力資源培訓等領域交流合作，歡迎更多太平洋島國朋友到中國旅游觀光、留學深造、投資經商、考察訪問，加深雙方人民相互了解和友誼，讓雙方友好事業薪火相傳。
Third, we need to write a new chapter in people-to-people friendship. As an island idiom goes, “Friendship is a furrow in the sand.” China will continue to increase exchange and cooperation with Pacific island countries in culture, education, medical services, sports, youth and human resources training and at the sub-national level. We also welcome friends from these countries to visit, study, invest or do business in China. This will help deepen mutual understanding and friendship between our peoples and carry forward our friendship from generation to generation.
我這次訪問巴新期間還將出席亞太經合組織第二十六次領導人非正式會議。這是巴新也是太平洋島國首次主辦亞太經合組織領導人非正式會議，可以說是整個島國地區的一件盛事。我期待著同各成員一道，聚焦“把握包容性機遇，擁抱數字化未來”主題，就區域經濟一體化、數字經濟、互聯互通、可持續和包容增長等重要議題進行深入交流，為本地區和平、穩定、發展作出新貢獻。
During my upcoming visit, I will attend the 26th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting. It will be the first time for Papua New Guinea, and indeed for a Pacific island country, to play APEC host. It will be a huge event for the entire region. Under the theme of “Harnessing Inclusive Opportunities, Embracing the Digital Future,” I look forward to an in-depth exchange of views with other member economies on regional economic integration, digital economy, connectivity, and sustainable and inclusive growth, so that we could jointly contribute to peace, stability and development in the Asia-Pacific region.
當前，中國同太平洋島國關系發展正處于歷史最好時期，面臨重要發展機遇。中國愿同太平洋島國一道努力，乘風破浪，向著雙方關系更加美好的明天揚帆再啟航！
The relations between China and Pacific island countries are now better than ever and face important opportunities of development. China will work with Pacific island countries to brave the wind and waves and set sail for a brighter future of our relations.
