China’s Pacific ties not part of ‘geopolitical rivalry’, Wang Yi tells island leaders

China’s cooperation with the Pacific islands is not part of a geopolitical competition, top diplomat Wang Yi told a delegation of politicians from the region on Friday.

The comments come as Beijing and Washington vie for influence in the South Pacific.

“China’s engagement with Pacific island countries is a form of South-South cooperation based on mutual assistance and support,” Wang said, according to a statement from the Communist Party’s International Department.