Chinese Premier says guiding framework another step to enrich ties with Pacific island countries

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said on Wednesday in Nadi that the China-Pacific Island Countries Economic Development and Cooperation Guiding Framework to be signed is another significant step taken to enrich cooperation between China and the Pacific island countries.

Premier Wen made the remarks in his keynote speech "Win-win Cooperation for Common Development" at the opening of the First Ministerial Conference of the China-Pacific Island Countries Economic Development and Cooperation Forum.

"To deepen friendship and cooperation between China and the Pacific island countries is the shared desire of our peoples. It serves the fundamental and long-term interests of each side and will strengthen peace and prosperity of the region," said Premier Wen.

He proposed that China and the Pacific island countries work together in the following fields: conduct regular exchanges between governments, parliaments, political parties and non- governmental sectors to enhance mutual trust and understanding; strengthen consultation and coordination on major international and regional issues; accommodate each other's interests and reinforce mutual support; and establish a new economic and trade relationship of mutual benefit that meets the needs of the island countries.

Premier Wen said new progress is set to be made in economic cooperation and trade ties between China and the Pacific island countries by following the principle of "looking to the future, advancing steadily and working for mutual benefit and common development."

He also expressed confidence that the forum, a landmark event in the relations between China and the Pacific island countries, will set a new model for South-South cooperation.

Premier Wen arrived here Tuesday for an official visit to the Republic of the Fuji Islands, the first official visit by a Chinese premier to a South Pacific island country.

Fiji is the second leg of Premier Wen's four-nation Asia- Pacific tour which has taken him to Australia and will take him to New Zealand and Cambodia.

Source: Xinhua