China has provided US$200,000 in voluntary funding to the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) to support climate change resilience and environmental protection work across the Pacific.
The handover took place on 14 January 2026 at SPREP headquarters in Vailima, Samoa. China’s Ambassador to Samoa, His Excellency Fei Mingxing, presented the cheque to SPREP Officer-in-Charge Mr Clark Peteru during a ceremony at the Secretariat.
Ambassador Fei said China has supported SPREP for decades and framed the payment as part of China’s ongoing regional assistance. “The Pacific islands are among regions most severely threatened by climate change,” he said. He added that China “understands the difficulties faced by the region in addressing climate change.”
He said China would continue to provide support through South–South cooperation, and described the relationship as a partnership intended to help Pacific countries respond to climate pressures.
Receiving the funding, Mr Peteru said the contribution supports SPREP’s ability to operate as a regional Secretariat and respond to member needs.
“This support reinforces SPREP’s institutional core as a Secretariat,” he said, adding it would help SPREP be “more responsive and adaptive” to Pacific island countries and territories.
SPREP said the funding would support organisation-wide functions and capacity, including climate resilience work and high-level engagement linked to COP processes. SPREP also listed communications, staffing and capacity building initiatives, and governance support as areas assisted by the funding.
Article based on a press release from SPREP regarding the handover of the Government of the People’s Republic of China’s donation to SPREP.
