Chinese Premier invites Vanuatu PM for an official visit to Beijing

At the invitation of the Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, Prime Minister Charlot Salwai of the Republic of Vanuatu will pay an official visit to China from May 26 to 31.

This will be the first visit to China by Prime Minister Charlot Salwai since he took office.

During the visit, President Xi Jinping will meet with the Vanuatu leader and Premier Li Keqiang will hold talks with him.

The leaders of the two countries will exchange views on China-Vanuatu relations and important issues of mutual interest. Besides Beijing, Prime Minister Charlot Salwai will also visit Hainan and transit in Hong Kong.

Vanuatu is an important country in the Pacific Islands region and a good friend and partner of China. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties 37 years ago, the bilateral relations have made headway with fruitful outcomes in cooperation across the board.

In November last year, President Xi Jinping held a successful meeting with Prime Minister Charlot Salwai in Papua New Guinea, and they agreed to elevate the bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership featuring mutual respect and common development, which opened up a new chapter in China-Vanuatu relations.

Taking Prime Minister Charlot Salwai's visit as an opportunity, China stands ready to work with Vanuatu to enhance political mutual trust, expand practical cooperation, move forward China-Vanuatu comprehensive strategic partnership and bring more benefits to the two peoples.

The visit was announced by China’s foreign affairs ministry spokesperson, Lu Kang on Monday.