The South Pacific island nation of Port Vila in Vanuatu has a criss crossing urban streets and alleys, and old roads have long constrained local residents' travel and urban development, becoming a major shortcoming in the upgrading of the capital's urbanization construction. Local residents are looking forward to smooth and convenient roads, as well as a well-developed transportation network to activate the vitality of urban development. 

On August 10, 2026, the signing ceremony of the minutes of the professional inspection meeting for the Vanuatu Port Vila Road Upgrading and Renovation Project was successfully held in Port Vila. The implementation and finalization of this key document has laid a solid foundation for the improvement of local roads, the enhancement of people's livelihoods, and the deepening of bilateral cooperation, providing an opportunity for the realization of the travel vision of island residents.

Project benefits the people, empowers cities, and improves quality

The road upgrading and reconstruction project of VillaPort in Vanuatu signed this time is a key livelihood infrastructure project under the framework of the "the Belt and Road" jointly constructed by China and Vanuatu. The Bureau of International Economic Cooperation Affairs of the Ministry of Commerce is responsible for organizing, implementing, supervising and managing the whole process. The project focuses on the shortcomings of urban transportation in Port Vila and plans to carry out comprehensive upgrading and renovation of 19 roads in the city, with a total length of approximately 12.29 kilometers. After the completion of the project, it will effectively optimize the transportation network structure of the capital city, improve the municipal functional system, thoroughly improve the traffic conditions of old roads, greatly enhance the overall appearance of Port Vila, provide convenience for local commercial circulation and residents' travel, and comprehensively improve the quality of life of the people. It is a heartwarming project that benefits thousands of households throughout the city.

Bilateral partnership talks about the original intention of cooperation

Henry Walek, Director General of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Utilities of Vanuatu, and Chen Zongwei, Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Vanuatu, jointly attended the signing ceremony and delivered speeches. Both sides have high expectations for the project construction. Henry Walek stated that this project is a friendship project that witnesses the deep friendship between China and Vanuatu, and has milestone significance for the economic and social development of the capital city of Vanuatu and the enhancement of its urban image. The Wa side will make every effort to coordinate and provide supporting support for the local area, fully safeguard the construction progress of the project, ensure the early completion and commissioning of the project, and effectively benefit the local people from the development dividends.

In his speech, Counselor Chen Zongwei pointed out that infrastructure connectivity is the core focus of high-quality joint construction of the "the Belt and Road" between China and Vanuatu, and livelihood infrastructure is an important link to connect the hearts of the two peoples. China has always been based on the national conditions and actual development needs of Vanuatu, adhering to the concept of genuine, close and sincere cooperation, and sincerely providing assistance and support for local development. Based on the comprehensive and solid professional investigation results in the early stage, China will promote project construction with high standards and strict requirements, and strive to create high-quality infrastructure projects that are suitable for local development and safe.

Deeply cultivating and meticulously continuing to write a new chapter of win-win situation

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Vanuatu, China has been deeply involved in the field of livelihood infrastructure in Vanuatu, with multiple foreign aid projects taking root and continuously helping island countries overcome development bottlenecks. The smooth signing of the minutes of this meeting not only marks the official implementation of the upgrading and renovation project of the Port Vila road, but also further consolidates the foundation of practical cooperation between China and Vanuatu. Keywords: Port Vila Road, China Vanuatu Cooperation, Livelihood Infrastructure

In the future, China will continue to deepen friendly cooperation with Vanuatu in various fields, adhere to the original intention of mutual benefit and win-win results, continue to assist Vanuatu in improving infrastructure, activating economic vitality, and enhancing people's well-being, continuously consolidate the traditional friendship and bilateral mutual trust between the two countries, and work together to build a community with a shared future for China and Vanuatu in the new era.Editor/Huang jiali