As Pacific communities increasingly struggle with extreme weather, rising sea levels and other climate change impacts, China is increasing its efforts to build ties with island nations.
On 16 June, 22 representatives from eight countries – including Fiji, Samoa, the Maldives, Mauritius, and Antigua and Barbuda – gathered in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province. They were there for 15 days of training on ocean monitoring and disaster early warning systems, as well as on remote sensing and ecological protection.
The programme aims to help strengthen skills and bolster Pacific states’ ability to respond to climate-related disasters and protect fragile marine ecosystems.
It is organised by the Second Institute of Oceanography under the Ministry of Natural Resources, according to Chinese media outlet Natural Resources News.
In June last year, a similar programme in Hangzhou brought together 26 representatives from 15 island countries and territories. In her opening remarks to that group, Director Fang Yinxia of the Second Institute expressed hopes that the trainees would become ambassadors for international cooperation.
These efforts align with China’s broader international cooperation strategy on ocean affairs. In late May, China hosted the Pacific Islands Climate Cooperation Summit in the city of Xiamen. At the summit, Foreign Minister Wang Yi announced a series of initiatives to strengthen Pacific Island countries’ climate adaptation and mitigation capacities. The proposal, titled “China’s initiative to deepen cooperation with Pacific island countries on climate change”, includes commitments in funding, technology sharing, and capacity building.
Under the initiative, China pledged to invest USD 2 million to support island countries in clean energy, agriculture, fisheries, low-carbon infrastructure, and disaster resilience. It also announced plans to launch 100 “small but beautiful” community projects over the next three years to strengthen climate resilience in the Pacific region. The plan highlights the importance of early warning systems, marine ecosystem protection, and technical assistance in disaster management to meet growing climate challenges.
The statement says that China “fully recognises the vulnerability of Pacific Island countries in the face of the climate change crisis” and pledged targeted support. Reuters noted that the announcement comes at a time when US aid to the region has been partially frozen, and several countries face new US tariffs.
China describes its efforts as part of climate cooperation, but they come amid increased geopolitical interest in the Pacific and have drawn attention and some concern from traditional powers such as the US and Australia.