The first Ministerial Meeting of the China-Pacific Island
Countries Economic Development and Cooperation Forum opened in Nadi
Wednesday morning.
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.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Wen congratulated the
convention of the first ministerial meeting of the Forum. Wen 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 three billion yuan (about US$374 million) 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.
(Xinhua News Agency April 5, 2006)
