Chinese Support for the Pacific Region Continues ^Featured

Forum Secretariat Secretary General Dame Meg Taylor and Chinese Ambassador to Fiji H.E. ZHANG Ping attended the ceremony and delivered speeches respectively.

Ambassador ZHANG reiterated China’s ongoing interest in the region saying, “China attaches great importance to the South Pacific region. The Chinese side stands ready to enhance mutual understanding and cooperation with Pacific Island Countries and contribute to the development and capacity building in the region.”

Accepting the contribution Secretary General Taylor said “I warmly welcome this support that assists the Forum in advancing regional integration as well as helping member countries achieve sustainable development.”

The handover ceremony provided opportunity to raise key Pacific region priorities identified through the Framework for Pacific Regionalism such as climate change and ICT.

“We seek your support for the Forum’s position going into the COP21 negotiations in Paris, as articulated in the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Declaration on Climate Change Action issued in Port Moresby last month.”

"China’s commitment to support Pacific island countries to achieve greater ICT connectivity is to be commended and the special loans you have made available for ICT infrastructure connectivity, improving broadband networks, encouraging on-line education services, and ICT enterprises, are a generous initiative.”

China became a Forum dialogue partner in 1990. Since then it has developed an important economic relationship with the region, particularly through its dedication to trade development.

“China has made an impressive commitment to advance trade and investment with the Pacific island countries. China’s continuing support for the Pacific Trade and Invest (PT&I) Beijing is very much appreciated.” said Secretary General Taylor.

The financial support will be used to support activity by the China-PIF Development Cooperation Fund and the PT&I Beijing office and its activities.

ENDS