Chinese Ambassador to Fiji, H.E. ZHANG Ping, on behalf of the People’s Republic of China presented a contribution to the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.
The contribution, a sum of US$1.05 million, which was handed over last Friday will be used to support the activities of China-PIF Development Cooperation Fund and the Pacific Trade and Invest (PT&I) Beijing office.
Forum Secretariat Secretary General, Dame Meg Taylor, when accepting the contribution said, “I warmly welcome this support that assists the Forum in advancing regional integration as well as helping member countries achieve sustainable development.”
The arrangement was an opportunity to discuss other important issues in Pacific region.
PIFS Secretary General, Dame Taylor was grateful of their support in the ICT sector in the region saying, “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.”
Delivering his speech, Ambassador ZHANG said, “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.”
Since it became a Forum dialogue partner in 1990, it has developed an important economic relationship with the region, mostly through its commitment to trade development.
The presentation further fortifies the relationship between China and the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.
