China and Pacific Island Countries Convene Fifth Ministerial Police Dialogue

China hosted the Fifth Ministerial Dialogue on Law Enforcement Capacity and Police Cooperation with Pacific Island Countries in Beijing on September 8. Co-chaired by Chinese Public Security Minister Wang Xiaohong and Vanuatu's Minister of Internal Affairs Napuat, the talks reviewed four years of institutionalized security exchanges and outlined steps to expand targeted training and operational cooperation. On the sidelines, Wang engaged top Interpol officials to coordinate efforts against transnational telecom fraud and prepare for the 94th Interpol General Assembly in Hong Kong, while signing new bilateral enforcement pacts with Vanuatu.

The ministerial meeting underscores Beijing's sustained push to build a durable multilateral police cooperation framework across the South Pacific. By linking regional engagement with broader multilateral platforms—such as the Global Public Security Cooperation Forum in Lianyungang and Interpol—China aims to institutionalize its role as a key public safety partner in the region, focusing on joint capacity building, combating cybercrime, and pursuing transnational fugitives.

China held the Fifth China–Pacific Island Countries Ministerial Dialogue on Law Enforcement Capacity and Police Cooperation in Beijing on September 8, marking the fourth anniversary of the institutionalized security mechanism. The meeting was co-chaired by Chinese State Councilor and Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong alongside Vanuatu’s Minister of Internal Affairs, identified in official releases as Napuat. Addressing delegation heads, Wang stated that the dialogue mechanism has deepened mutual trust, professional exchanges, and practical enforcement results since its establishment four years ago. He affirmed Beijing's intention to implement consensus reached between President Xi Jinping and Pacific island leaders, calling for country-specific training programs, demand-driven operational assistance, and expanded multilateral cooperation to construct a closer security community. Heads of participating delegations delivered remarks, while Interpol Secretary General Valdecy Urquiza and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Regional Representative for Southeast Asia and the Pacific Erik Schantz also attended and spoke at the event. On the sidelines of the dialogue, Wang conducted bilateral meetings with international counterparts visiting China for the Global Public Security Cooperation Forum (Lianyungang) 2026 Conference. In discussions with Interpol President Ahmed Naser Al-Raisi and Secretary General Urquiza, Wang called for closer practical collaboration within international legal frameworks to counter global telecom network fraud, while pledging close coordination to host the upcoming 94th Interpol General Assembly in Hong Kong. Interpol officials reaffirmed their adherence to the one-China principle, expressed support for the Lianyungang forum, and commended China’s contributions to combating cross-border cyber fraud. During a separate bilateral meeting with Vanuatu's Napuat, Wang emphasized Beijing’s readiness to strengthen exchanges across all levels. Priorities outlined include joint efforts to combat illegal immigration, tackle transnational crime, recover illicit assets, and conduct fugitive repatriation, alongside tailored capacity-building initiatives. Napuat expressed admiration for China's development achievements and affirmed Vanuatu's commitment to deepening police cooperation, concluding the talks with the formal signing of bilateral cooperation documents.