CHINA / Wen in Fiji
China, Pacific island countries forum opens
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-04-05 09:30
NADI, Fiji -- The first Ministerial Meeting of the China-Pacific Island
Countries Economic Development and Cooperation Forum opened here
Wednesday morning.
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, Fijian Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase, Papua
New Guinean Prime Minister Michael Somare and heads of state or
government of some other island countries attended the opening ceremony.
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (C) sits with Pacific Island leaders during
the opening of the China-Pacific Islands Countries Economic Development
and Cooperation Forum in Nadi, Fiji April 5, 2006. [Reuters]
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao
congratulated the convention of the first ministerial meeting of the
Forum. The Chinese premier said it is a strategic decision, not a
diplomatic expediency, for China to foster friendship and cooperation
with the Pacific island countries.
He also expressed confidence that the Forum, a landmark event in the
relations between China and Pacific island countries, will set a new
model for South-South cooperation.
Wen listed some measures China has decided to take to meet the current
needs of economic development of Pacific island countries, including:
-- To provide RMB 3 billion yuan of preferential loans in the next three
years to boost cooperation;
-- To give zero-tariff treatment to the majority of exports to China from
the least developed countries in the region that have diplomatic ties
with China. China will cancel their debts that became mature at the end
of 2005 and extend by ten years the payment of debts contracted by other
island countries that became mature at the end of 2005;
-- To provide training to 2,000 government officials and technical staff
from the island countries over the next three years to assist them in
capacity building;
-- To formally approve Papua New Guinea, Samoa, and the Federated States
of Micronesia as destinations for Chinese tourists. Thus, all the seven
island countries having diplomatic ties with China are now approved
tourist destinations for Chinese citizens.
Ministers of China and 10 Pacific island countries, namely Australia, the
Cook Islands, Fiji, Micronesia, New Zealand, Niue, Papua New Guinea,
Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu, participated in the meeting.
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