The ministers and other high- level officials of China and eight Pacific island countries met in Nadi, Fiji, Wednesday afternoon for a panel discussion to explore ways of promoting cooperation in tourism and transportation.

The officials gathered here for the First Ministerial Conference of the China-Pacific Island Countries Economic Development and Cooperation Forum, which opened here Wednesday morning.

China and the Pacific island countries can see together a bright future with great potential for a closer cooperation in tourism sector, said Zhang Xiqin, deputy director of the National Tourism Administration of China.

So far, all countries in the Pacific region having diplomatic ties with the People's Republic of China have become destinations for Chinese tourists.

China wishes to play a full role in promoting tourism development in the Pacific region and make further progress in the new century with joint efforts from all countries, said Zhang.

He said China welcomes tourism authorities in the Pacific island countries to come to China for visit, sightseeing, and conducting tourism marketing, so as to deepen mutual understanding. China will provide all kinds of assistance needed and affordable support.

The Chinese government encourages exchanges and cooperation between tourism operators, and encourages Chinese operators to come to the Pacific region to invest in infrastructure and tourism projects, said Zhang.

Fijian Minister of Tourism Pita Nacuva said the potential for the Chinese tourism market is huge and growing and the need to open up that access is key to developing transport and tourism with China.

He called on more investments from China to help Fiji diversify and improve the quality of its tourism which has grown by an average of 9.2 percent in the last three years.

The Minister said China and Fiji need air links as distance and its remote location give Fiji a big disadvantage.

A recasting of tour packages involving three nights stays in Seoul and Fiji is being worked out between travel wholesalers in Fiji and China. And the Department of Civil Aviation is currently negotiating with a Chinese investor for the introduction of charter flights between Fiji and Beijing, said Nacuva.

Fiji needs investments for consolidating internal travel so as to bring down the price of air transportation in the country.

Fiji needs additional investments in hotel rooms to cater for the growing demand and to diversify the tourism experience through developing theme parks, shopping centers and restaurants.

He also called for more private investments in large infrastructure projects, not only public infrastructure but

specifically tourism infrastructure as well.

The Republic of Vanuatu welcomes China and its investors to contribute to a stronger tourism industry in the Pacific island country with increased assistance and investment, said Vanuatu Minister of Trade, Commerce and Tourism James Blue.

He said progress has been made in negotiating an air service agreement with the Chinese Government to pave way for regular direct flights from China.

In view of the considerable number of Chinese tourists, it is important for Vanuatu to have in place the appropriate legal framework and the adequate transport infrastructure in place in order to accommodate such development, said the minister.

Source: Xinhua