Honourable Mr Chairman, Hon Ministers, distinguished guests.

“Ni Hao” “Fakaalofa lahi atu”  I bring greetings and Salutations from the Government of Niue, the Premier, Hon Toke Talagi and his cabinet and the people of Niue.

Mr Chairman, I would like to thank the Government of The Peoples Republic of China, for the invitation extended to my island country Niue to attend the Investment, Trade, Tourism Ministerial Conference here in Xiamen.  

Mr Chairman, Niue has just last week, hosted what is probably the most important meeting of our region, the Pacific Islands Forum. Heads of Governments from 17 countries, which included Niue, took part in that important gathering. I want to acknowledge the assistance which the Peoples Republic of China provided to my government which enabled us to hold a very successful meeting. The occasion afforded us an opportunity to hold discussions with your Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr Liu Jieyi.

Allow me Mr Chairman to make one observation which has a great deal of significance when we speak of Economic Development and Cooperation with the Peoples Republic of China. The Pacific region is dotted with a myriad of small islands with small populations; of all these relatively small islands, none is smaller, in terms of population, than my own island of Niue. We have a total population of less than 2,000 people. And here we are, sitting at a conference table, with the Peoples Republic of China, the most populated country in the world, with a rapidly expanding and vigorous economy. It makes for an interesting relationship.

If we take tourism as an example, if Niue were to receive one Jumbo-Jet a week of Chinese visitors, it would not be possible for us to accommodate such numbers – and even if we are able to expand our facilities to cope with such large numbers, our fragile eco-system will simply collapse under the strain. So here is the challenge for us Mr Chairman; the small island states such as Niue, want the people of China to visit us, to experience some of our culture and to share with them the tranquillity that can only be possible on a small island, but we want to do so in a manner which will not a put strain on our fragile environment.  Inevitably, this means a small number of visitors, which is in keeping with our overall policy of sustainable development.

Tourism for Niue is becoming an important component in our overall economic development strategy. If the opportunity presents itself for investment in tourism infrastructure then again, it must be at a sustainable level.

The same kind of approach will need to be made when we consider trade between China and Niue. The emphasis for Niue will be on quality rather than quantity.

The ever increasing price of oil has forced us on Niue to look at renewable energy. It is my understanding that China is a leading authority in this field. Any technological development that can further advance the harnessing of solar and wind energy to a level which is more affordable for small island states would be welcomed.

Mr Chairman, I end this very short presentation by reiterating our desire to be part of the China-Pacific Islands Economic Cooperation and Development Framework that was signed in Fiji in April 2006.

TEXT OF SPEECH

• Recent Forum and meetings with China (Find out from SOG)
• Diplomatic relations since Dec  2007
• Niue is the least populated country whilst PRC is the most populated in the world
• Acknowledge the willingness for Economic cooperation. 
• Niue is party to the China-Pacific Islands Economic Cooperation and Development Framework that was signed in Fiji in April 2006
• Niue’s Priority Economic Development Projects
• Tourism
• Renewable Energy
• Shipping & Air Services
• Boutique Niue Export Products of Niue
• Overseas Niueans investing in Niue
• Overseas Investors from Abroad
• Where Niue is now
• Where Niue wants to be in the next 3-5 years

In closing I would again like to say thank you /Xie Xie to the Government of the Peoples Republic of China for the opportunity and organisation of the Conference.