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Hu tells big forum opening banquet

China stands ready to work together with Pacific Islands countries to implement the consensus of our leadership and to further deepen the relationship between us.

Hu Chunhua, Vice Premier of China, made these reassuring remarks last night during the welcome banquet of the 3rd China-Pacific Island Countries Economic Development and Cooperation Forum.

The banquet at the luxury Taumeasina Island Resort next to the Samoan capital Apia was attended by political and business leaders from around the Pacific.

They included heads of government, trade ministers, representatives of international and regional organisations and the business community. Fiji’s delegation is headed by Minister for Industry, Trade, Tourism (MITT), Local Government, Housing and Community Development Premila Kumar.

The forum proper starts this morning with a non-stop round of sessions at the Sheraton Aggie Grey’s hotel on the Apia harbourfront.

Mr Hu in his banquet address highlighted:

– The Economic Development and Cooperation Forum is the highest form of dialogue between China-Pacific Islands Countries.

– It is also an important platform for trade and economic co-operation

– In 2006 and 2013, two sessions of the forum have been successfully held.

– It is vigorously promoting the pragmatic cooperation between the two sides in areas such as trade and investment, infrastructure, disaster prevention and relief, climate change and people to people exchange.

He noted all parties – with more than 400 delegates expected to attend today’s forum sessions – would discuss the future co-operation and development of their respective economies.

“We are going to sign the action programme for the economic development and co-operation between China and Pacific Island countries,”he said.

“China will work together with all designated members of the forum to enhance communication and co-operation and to ensure the forum results in real facts and results.”

He stressed that this would ensure that it continues to grow the forum bigger in terms of its influence and to ensure there are new outcomes coming out of the co-operation.

Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi extended warm greetings as co-host and a special welcome to the friends from the People’s Republic of China and “our Blue Pacific family”.

Prime Minister Tuilaepa highlighted:

– Welcome Banquet for the 3rd China-Pacific Island Countries Economic Development and Cooperation Forum is a celebration of this important dialogue framework between China and the Pacific Islands, to discuss economic and trade issues.

– Since the first 2006 Forum, China and the Pacific Island Countries have continued to pursue the expansion of trade and economic cooperation.

– Key to these gatherings is the invaluable opportunities to bring together Chinese businesses to exchange ideas and form mutually beneficial commercial ties with the Pacific island countries especially the private sector, small though they maybe.

– It is an important space for China and the Pacific to promote opportunities that would strategically support the sustainable development and prosperity of our peoples and nations as well as mutually determine how we can overcome the challenges to investment and ensure growth in our region.

Yok Yee (Yolinda) Chan, Fiji’s Shanghai-based Consul
General and Trade Commissioner to China, in Apia, Samoa, yesterday. Photo: Maraia Vula

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