BEIJING -- The Pacific island nation Nauru on Monday signed up for the Belt and Road Initiative in the presence of its president, David Adeang, who is on a state visit to China on March 24-29, and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

It is Adeang's first China trip since the two countries restored diplomatic ties earlier this year.

During talks with the Nauruan leader, Xi pledged that the Chinese side is ready to work with the island nation to expand cooperation in economy and trade, climate change, as well as in infrastructure, among other sectors.

As the two presidents are charting the course for further growth of bilateral ties, a Chinese-aided solar power project being built with the participation of nearly 100 Nauruan workers has already begun to make a difference to local communities, a living testament to the fast-growing win-win cooperation between the two countries.