Chinese premier meets Pacific island countries' leaders

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao Wednesday in Nadi conferred with leaders of Pacific island countries, promising to deepen bilateral cooperation.

The leaders included Rotating Presidency of Pacific Islands Forum, Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Michael Somare, Vanuatu Prime Minister Vanuaroroa Ham Lini, the Federated States of Micronesia President Joseph J. Urusemal, Tonga Prime Minister Feleti Sevele, the Cook Islands Prime Minister Jim Marurai, Niue Prime Minister Young Vivian and Samoa Prime Minister's representative, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Labour Hans Joachim Keil, who were here to attend the first ministerial meeting of China-Pacific Island Countries Economic Development and Cooperation Forum.

China and Pacific island countries are located in the same region and all belong to developing countries, Wen said.

The two sides share common interests in promoting regional stability and prosperity and similar plea in international affairs so the two sides can become trustworthy friends and sincere partners on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, he said.

Wen highly appreciated the island countries' adherence to one- China policy and upheld justice and rendered support to China in international and regional organizations.

The forum was held in Nadi, a tourist destination of Fiji, from April 5 to 6. Wen said the forum was an important platform for the two sides to deepen cooperation and promote common development.

China will provide a series of preferential policies and adopted measures to support and aid island countries in loan, debt and tariff reduction, health, tourism, personnel training for the sustainable socio-economic development of the island countries, he said.

The Chinese government also encouraged enterprises from the two sides to undertake cooperation in resources development, agriculture, forestry, fishing, telecom, aviation and infrastructure areas.

Somare described the relationship between the island countries and China as "sincere and friendly." He commended China's equal treatment to the island countries and thanked China's long-term assistance and participation in the local economies and welfare matters.

China has proposed to set up the forum and promised to provide more aids, he said. The island countries cherished its friendly and cooperative ties with China and supported China to play a more active role in the region, he said.

The leaders of the island countries all reiterated that all countries firmly adhered to one-China policy, vowed to have no official contact with Taiwan and supported China's peaceful reunification cause.

Wen and leaders of island countries attended signing ceremonies to boost economic and technical cooperation.

Wen also met with Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Secretary-General Greg Urwin. The two sides exchanged views on enhancing cooperation between China and member nations of PIF.

Source: Xinhua