ISTANBUL

Pacific nations on Wednesday vowed to abide by the one-China principle at the Xiamen meeting in southern China.

"All parties recognize that there is but one China in the world, that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory, and that the government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China," said a joint statement issued by the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

The third China-Pacific Island nations’ foreign ministers’ meeting was held in Xiamen city in the Fujian province with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi as the chair. Top officials and representatives from 11 island countries—Kiribati, Niue, Tonga, Nauru, Micronesia, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Cook Islands, Fiji, and Samoa—attended the meeting.

"China firmly opposes 'Taiwan independence' in all forms and commits to realizing national reunification, which has gained wide understanding and support at the meeting," the joint statement said.

"The principle of non-interference in each other’s internal affairs must be observed," it said.

Beijing underscored "there are no political strings attached to China’s assistance ... and no empty promises," the statement said.

The Solomon Islands, Kiribati, and Nauru had shifted relations to Beijing in the past, with Nauru being the latest to cut ties with Taiwan in 2024, dwindling the number of Taiwan’s diplomatic allies to 12.

All parties are also "committed to the international nuclear non-proliferation regime with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons," it said, while expressing willingness to contribute to "the peace, development, and stability of the Pacific region."