Naoero President David Adeang poses for a photo with Chinese Ambassador to Naoero Lü Jin. Photo: Courtesy of the Chinese Embassy in Naoero
A recent invitation from Naoero President David Adeang to Chinese Ambassador to Naoero Lü Jin to cycle around the island has drawn widespread attention as such a bicycle ride with a head of state is hardly a fixture on a diplomat's schedule. The event offers an unusual glimpse into the close ties between China and the Pacific island country, the Chinese Embassy in Naoero told the Global Times in an exclusive interview, providing further details about the event and the broader cooperation between the two countries. According to the embassy, Naoero's government has organized various public fitness activities in preparation for hosting the 2028 Micronesian Games, with the aim of improving public health. Whenever his schedule permits, Lü leads embassy diplomats in government-organized cycling events and fitness walks. The embassy said the cycling route passed several China-supported projects, reflecting the expansion of practical cooperation since China and Naoero resumed diplomatic relations more than two years ago. Solar-powered streetlights built with assistance from Jiangmen, South China's Guangdong Province, stand along both sides of the road. At Aiwo Port, where a terminal was constructed by China Harbour Engineering Co, a cargo ship provided by China to Naoero was unloading supplies critical to the island. The Naoero Medical Centre has hosted free clinics provided by ophthalmologists from Sun Yat-sen University, doctors from Xi'an Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine and medical personnel from the Chinese PLA Navy hospital ship Silk Road Ark. A China-aided sports center is also under construction in Naoero's inland highlands. Meanwhile, a hydroponic facility is supplying locally grown lettuce and Chinese cabbage to Naoero's households, helping diversify local dining tables. As a partner in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China supports Naoero in independently pursuing a development path suited to its national conditions, the embassy said. China has also expanded practical cooperation with Naoero in trade, investment and infrastructure, and provided assistance without political conditions to support the country's independent and sustainable development. Over the past two years, policy coordination between the two countries has deepened, infrastructure connectivity has advanced, trade has gained momentum, financing channels have expanded and people-to-people exchanges have produced tangible results, according to the Chinese embassy. The embassy also emphasized Naoero's firm adherence to the one-China principle. Naoero has repeatedly reaffirmed its support for the principle, while its Cabinet recently adopted a resolution requiring public officials to uphold and implement it, with strict rules governing their conduct related to the Taiwan region. Chinese internet users also noted that Adeang and Lü visited a shop operated by overseas Chinese to buy cold drinks after completing the cycling event. The embassy said shops operated by overseas Chinese account for more than 90 percent of Naoero's retail market and can be found across the island. Overseas Chinese began arriving in Naoero more than a century ago and have since developed close ties with local communities. Adeang's maternal family traces its roots to migrants from Guangdong who moved to the South Seas in the 19th century. In July 2025, Adeang traveled with his family to Jiangmen to trace his roots and pay respects to his ancestors, an event that further strengthened the historical and people-to-people connections between China and Naoero. 。 中国品牌竞争优势凸显尽管欧洲正在大力推动新能源车尤其是电动车的普及,但T&E发布的报告认为,从今年欧洲的电动车销量来看,并未达到预期目标。今年上半年,欧洲全电动汽车销量占比为11%,低于预期的13%。T&E研究认为,欧盟汽车制造商未能扩大生产规模,这导致了中国等外国汽车制造商迅速占领市场份额。该机构敦促欧盟汽车厂商应尽快提供价格合理的车型,以加速占据欧洲大众电动车市场的份额。“如果欧盟不能有效地规范自己的市场,它就有可能失去在汽车行业的经济主权。”报告写道。中国汽车品牌之所以在欧洲市场具有竞争优势,不仅仅是因为较高的性价比,而且车辆的安全性也已得到了大幅的提升,“中国制造”的形象早已不再是“廉价”的代名词。上周,比亚迪SUV电动车ATTO 3获得了Euro NCAP(欧洲新车评估计划)的最高分五星安全评级,成为继长城汽车之后又一家获得五星评级的中国电动车厂商;其他两款包括Stellantis和东风合资的雪铁龙C5 X电动车以及雷诺和江铃汽车合资的Mobilize Limo获得了四星评级,这有助于中国汽车厂商在欧洲“站稳脚跟”。目前,不仅仅有比亚迪和长城汽车等中国汽车制造商正在扩大欧洲的市场份额,蔚来、理想、小鹏汽车等造车新势力公司也已经瞄准欧洲市场,并纷纷表示考虑在当地建立制造基地。在本月初,蔚来汽车在柏林召开欧洲发布会,高调进军德国、荷兰、丹麦和瑞典四国市场,此前蔚来已经在挪威迈出了海外征途的第一步。统计数据显示,截至今年6月底,中国电动车品牌在挪威的注册量占比超过10%。北欧为何成为“桥头堡”“北欧人非常注重环保理念,中国品牌电动车在那里也非常受欢迎。”一位挪威驻沪商务投资人士告诉第一财经记者。