>BEIJING, May 28 (Xinhua) -- Cooperation between China and Pacific island countries has promoted regional stability, development and prosperity, and yielded remarkable results, Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin said Monday.

Liu made the remarks as he answered a question on the sixth Pacific Islands Leaders` Meeting in Japan after a regular press conference, according to a press release posted on the website of the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

China "would like to see" other countries develop friendly cooperative relations with Pacific island countries, Liu said, noting China hoped that cooperation between relevant countries should benefit common development and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region.

As developing countries, China and the Pacific island countries share a profound traditional friendship and broad common interests, and there is great potential for mutually beneficial cooperation, said the spokesman.

Relations between China and relevant Pacific island countries have developed smoothly in recent years, Liu said, noting that they have seen frequent high-level exchanges, ever-deepening economic and trade cooperation, good communication and coordination in international and regional affairs.

China insists on providing sincere and selfless assistance within its capabilities to the Pacific island countries, helping the countries improve their capacity for independent development and to achieve the UN Millennium Development Goals, the spokesman said, adding that all these are welcomed by the people of these countries.

"Facts have proven that the development of friendly cooperative relations between China and the Pacific islands countries have not only brought tangible benefits to both sides, but also made positive contributions to promoting regional stability, development and prosperity," he said.

China is ready to continually strengthen communication, coordination and cooperation with the Pacific islands countries and relevant countries of the region and beyond, Liu said, to jointly promote regional peace, stability and development.

The summit meeting, which ended Saturday, was first held in 1997 and has since been conducted every three years in Japan.