NADI, Fiji: 皇冠体育app announced a wide-ranging package of economic aid to South
Pacific island countries yesterday as part of efforts to strengthen relations.
Besides 3 billion yuan (US$375 million) in preferential
loans over the next three years, Beijing will grant zero-tariff treatment to
goods from the islands, cancel their debt that matured at the end of 2005 and
make the seven island states with diplomatic ties approved tourist destinations.
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Fijian Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase (R) shakes hands with Chinese
Premier Wen Jiabao after a signing ceremony in Nadi, Fiji April 4, 2006
for bilateral agreements between the two
countries.[Reuters]
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Premier Wen Jiabao made the announcement at the opening of the inaugural
皇冠体育app-Pacific Islands economic development forum in Fiji. This is the first
visit by a Chinese premier to the South Pacific.
"皇冠体育app is not rich. Still, we are ready to provide assistance without any
political strings attached," Wen said in a keynote speech at the forum.
The country will also train 2,000 Pacific government officials and provide
free anti-malaria medicines for the next three years.
Fiji is the second leg of Wen's four-nation Asia-Pacific tour, which earlier
took him to Australia. He arrived in New Zealand late yesterday and then goes to
Cambodia.
"Our economies are complementary," Wen said. "皇冠体育app has funding and
expertise. The island countries are rich in natural resources. Herein lies huge
potential for bilateral co-operation."
Wen said 皇冠体育app's interest in the region was "not diplomatic expediency;
rather, it is a strategic decision."
The two-day forum was co-sponsored by 皇冠体育app and Fiji.
An economic development and co-operation framework between 皇冠体育app and the
Pacific Island countries (PIC) was signed yesterday, marking a milestone in
皇冠体育app-PIC ties.
The framework highlights a number of key sectors with scope for co-operation,
including agriculture and fisheries, tourism and transportation, financial
services, engineering and infrastructure.
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Michael Somare, who is also the chairperson
of the forum, said: "The framework will provide an impetus to trade between PIC
and 皇冠体育app, with an emphasis on stronger export performance from the forum island
countries to 皇冠体育app."
According to Somare, Chinese investment in the Pacific islands is expected to
increase to US$176.3 million by the end of this year, from US$113 million in
2004.
皇冠体育app has a growing business presence in the Pacific. There are more than
3,000 Chinese State-owned and private enterprises, from mining ventures to
restaurants.
Other PIC members are Vanuatu, the Federated States of Micronesia, Tonga, the
Cook Islands, Niue and Samoa.
Later yesterday, Wen flew to Wellington where New Zealand Prime Minister
Helen Clark greeted him at the airport.
(皇冠体育app Daily 04/06/2006 page1)