Chinese President Xi Jinping Thursday pledged that China will continue to help Fiji fight against COVID-19 pandemic, develop economy, and tackle climate change.

Xi made the remarks in a phone conversation with Fijian Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama.

Noting Fiji is the first Pacific island country to forge diplomatic relations with China, Xi said bilateral ties have achieved enormous progress over the past 46 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties.

"An important lesson learned is that both sides have always supported each other on issues of mutual core interests and major concerns," Xi pointed out.

China supports Fiji in exploring the development path that suits its national conditions, and is willing to work with Fiji to promote the China-Fiji comprehensive strategic partnership to a new level, President Xi added.

He also called for bringing the two peoples more benefits and jointly safeguarding the common interests of developing countries.

The Chinese president also stressed that two sides have joined hands to fight against the pandemic since the outbreak of the COVID-19, adding that bilateral friendship and cooperation have continued to deepen.

China is willing to continue to provide vaccines and other support for the Fijian side to combat the epidemic, and will build an emergency supplies reserve between China and Pacific Island countries to help Fiji and other island countries improve their capacity to respond to major public health emergency and natural disasters, Xi said.

President Xi also voiced Chinese side's willingness to strengthen strategic docking with Fiji, urging to jointly build the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Bainimarama extended his warm congratulations on the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China and hailed the great achievements China has made.

He also thanked China for its valuable support in the fight against the COVID-19.

Bainimarama said Fiji firmly sticks to the one-China policy, upholds an objective and impartial position on issues related to Taiwan, Hong Kong and Xinjiang, adding that Fiji will not do anything to harm the interests of the Chinese side.

Voicing support for the BRI, the Fijian prime minister said Fiji is willing to continue to actively participate in the initiative.