THE China – Pacific Programme of Actions on Economic and Development Cooperation was yesterday endorsed by the Minister for Industry, Trade and Tourism, Premila Kumar at the 3rd China-Pacific Island Countries Economic Development and Cooperation Forum in Apia, Samoa.
A Government statement today said the Programme of Actions on Economic and Development Cooperation was signed by 10 Pacific Island Leaders in the interest of deepening relations with the government of the People’s Republic of China.
In his opening remarks, the Vice Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, Hu Chunhua, articulated China’s willingness to support and share development experience with Pacific Island Countries (PICs).
“China targets to promote communications to foster goodwill and good faith as foundation for cooperation in our shared future. This should shape engagement in trade and exchanges in key sectors between our countries particularly in realizing the outcomes of development interests in the PICs,” he said.
Mrs Kumar delivered Fiji’s address on behalf of the Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama during the opening session and thanked the Government of the People’s Republic of China for their continuing support to the development interest of Fiji and Pacific Island Countries.
“Cooperation in strategic sectors such as agriculture, infrastructure, information and trade will ensure mutual sharing of best practices between our two countries. And having to endorse this agreement alongside other Pacific Island Countries paves the way for enhanced regionalism under our common shared values and interests,” Mrs Kumar said.
She also signed the Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation worth RMB 50 million in gratuitous aid from the People’s Republic of China for the implementation of rural infrastructure projects in Fiji.
Other MOUs signed includes:
- Cooperation in Infrastructure between the Ministry of Commerce (China) and Ministry of Infrastructure (Fiji);
- Provision of Goods under South- South Cooperation for addressing Climate Change between Ministry of Ecology and Environment (China) and Ministry of Infrastructure (Fiji);
- Strengthening Investment and Production Capacity Cooperation between Ministry of Commerce (China) and Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism; and
- 2020-2022 Action Plan on Agriculture Cooperation (China- Pacific).
