As rising sea levels threaten Vanuatu’s idyllic shores, Prime Minister Charlot Salwai is turning to China for innovative strategies to balance development and environmental protection. During his six-day visit to Beijing, Salwai highlighted ‘waste disposal’ and sustainable growth as top priorities for his nation, which graduated from the Least Developed Countries list in 2020 but still faces hurdles in healthcare and education.
🌿 ‘China is a friend and a brother,’ Salwai told CMG’s Zou Yun, praising Beijing’s support for eco-friendly infrastructure and climate resilience projects. His trip underscored how Pacific Island nations—rich in culture but vulnerable to climate change—are adopting China’s ‘green template’ to safeguard their futures.
🤝 With tourism and fisheries key to Vanuatu’s economy, Salwai’s focus on cross-border partnerships signals a shift toward tech-driven, low-carbon solutions. Could this collaboration become a blueprint for small island states worldwide?
