China and Pacific Island Country Development and Economic Co

The first ministerial conference of China-Pacific Islands Countries Economic and Development Cooperation Forum¹ was closed in Nadi, Fiji on April 6 with fruitful achievements.

　　China and Pacific islands countries attached great importance to this forum. Primer Wen Jiabao made an important speech of strengthening mutual² cooperation while attending the forum. Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Tango, Cook Islands, Niue Prime Ministers, Micronesia President and some other leaders and ministers also attended the forum. The economic and trade delegation³ of the Ministry⁴ of Commerce consists of more than 360 delegates which are the leading officials of the chief department of forestry⁵, tourism, civil aviation, agriculture industry and more than 80 capable enterprisers. The forum was successfully held and established a favorable atmosphere to enhance the economic and trade cooperation between China and Pacific islands countries meanwhile reach to lots of consensus⁶ in strengthening the cooperation between China and Pacific islands countries.

　　China and Pacific island countries accomplished⁷ more than 50 economic and trading achievements during the forum after carefully preparation. “China-Pacific Islands Countries Economic Development and Cooperation Action Program” was signed by 9 countries that attending the conference. The program involves trade, investment, agriculture, traveling, transportation, finance, engineering and fundamental facility construction, natural resources, and human resources and so on, meanwhile drafted a blueprint⁸ for the further mutual economic trade cooperation. China signed almost 30 agreements with the Pacific countries that China government should increase the preferential loan scope to the Pacific countries, implement⁹ zero tariffs¹⁰ for some products to Samoa, Vanuatu, the least developed countries, and offers the support to islands countries in capacity-building, avian flu control, seismic¹¹ monitoring. Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Micronesia become tourism destinations for Chinese citizens following Fiji, Tonga, Vanuatu, Cook. Fiji and the Federated States of Micronesia, and other countries that recognize China's full market economic status. In addition, the two sides also signed a series of commercial contract including items of mining, tourism, telecommunications, aviation, fisheries, transport, agriculture, infrastructure¹² construction, and other fields.

　　Liao Xiaoqi, the Vice¹³ Minister of Ministry of Commerce said that the Forum not only achieved these results directly, but also build the bridge and pave the way among China and Pacific countries for future economic and trade cooperation. During the forum, more than 300 entrepreneurs from China and islands started a lively discussion, and showed the keen interest in seeking cooperation. Directly communication among entrepreneurs could expand cooperation and offer a more strengthened foundation.

　　Liao Xiaoqi, addressed that in the future, China will in accordance with the principle of “focusing on long-term, gradual and mutual benefit and common development” that Premier¹⁴ Wen expressed at the Forum earnestly implement the results of the Forum and actively¹⁵ support the economic development of the islands, developing and promoting mutually beneficial cooperation, move the economic and trade cooperation between theses two sides to a new level.