“It has been our consistent policy to cement the relationship with Vanuatu and other Pacific island countries,” Hu said during a meeting with Vanuatu’s president Kalkot Mataskelekele who arrived here on Sunday for a six-day state visit to China.

Hu encouraged Chinese entrepreneurs to increase investment in Vanuatu in agriculture, forestry, fishery, telecommunications and infrastructure.

He expressed appreciation of Vanuatu’s adherence to the one-China policy and its opposition to “Taiwan Independence”.

Hu said China and Vanuatu respected each other, had cooperated in the economic domain, and supported each other in international and regional affairs.

“China would like to work with Vanuatu to improve long-term friendship and cooperation in all areas,” Hu said.

Vanuatu is a country in the southwest Pacific ocean with a population of about 200,000.

Mataskelekele expressed gratitude to China for its support during Vanuatu’s campaign for national independence and the country’s construction.

He hoped to deepen the cooperation with China on agriculture, fishery, and tourism.

He also said Vanuatu would like to take an active part in the forum between China and Pacific island countries on economic development.