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| Speech by Ratu Epeli Nailatikau,LVO,OBE,MSD,OSTJ,CSM Minister for Foreign Affairs,Internation and Civil Aviation |
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| 2008-10-18 11:27 mofcom |
Your Excellencies,Representatives (Ministers)of the GovenEmentof the People's Republic of China
My fellow Ministers from the Pacific Island Countries.
Officials of the Government of the People's Republicof China
The Secretary General and Expeds from the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat
Honoured Guests,Ladies And Gent1emen
At the onset I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the Government of the People's Republic of China for the very special welcome provided to our delegation and the obvious painstaking arrangements that have been put in place for this historical Investment, Trade,and Tourism Ministerial Council of the China-PIC Economic Development and Cooperation Forum.
It is indeed my great pleasure and m honoured privilege to be representhg the Government and the people of Fiji at this groundbreaking event,which in my view will lay the folmdations for the intensification and growth of relations between the Pacific Region and the peoples Republic of China, in the21st Century.
At this junctureF it would be remiss of me if I did not acknowledge and praise with wonderment China's successfuland grandiose hosting of the 29th Olympic Games in Beijing and the fantastic performance by Chha to dominate most aspect of the games,more importantly the medal tally.To wibmss in our lifetime, a deve1oping country winning and winning convincingly the Olympic Games is a proud moment for all of us.
I would like to congratulate the Government of the peoples Republic of G1ina, the people and the athletes of your great nation for your momentous achievement and may your success permeate in our Region and spur us on to success also.Needless to say,china presents a tremendous opportunity for the PICs to develop their capabilities in sports.
Bilateral Perspective
The people's Republic of China has been a vital bilateral partner of Fiji,since our two nations established and formalized diplomatic relations in 1975.China has also been our true and steadfast friend,especially in times when its support was needed the most.We have seen and experienced through the years the significant role the people's Republic of China has played in our country's national development aspirations and goals.
Our economic and political relationship is well-established and our close association over the years has resulted in the exchange of many mutual beneficial programs and initiatives,including the transfer of technology and skills and the opportunity to lean from each other's expedenees.
Since our bilateral relationship is based on a strong history of commercial, political, educational and cultural ties, it has stood the test of time and has grown from strength-to-strength,with mutually shared principles, ideals and a common global outlook.The'One China'policy,coupled with Fiji's "Look North"policy has been the cornerstone of Fiji'S Foreign Relations over the recent years.
While our bilateral ties are undeniably strong,there is clearly much work to be done to ensure that hey are maintained and strengthened.In this contex, over the coming years, we would strive to diversify our trading relationships, and strengthen our existing bilateral economic links,which have proved to be of great mutual benefit.We have long recognized that the time is nigh to take this bilateral relationship to the next level, which we are hophg, to a certain extent, will be achieved atd1is high-level forum.
Regional Approach
As has been stated by previous esteemed speakers, PRC's involvement in the Region has also expanded significantly and we welcome China's
constructive engagement with the Pacific Region for the betterment and development of our Island nations.The defining moment in this relaHonship came at the inaugural China-Pacific Island Countries Economic Development and Cooperation Forum in Nadi in 2006, where Guiding Framework Agreements were established between China and several Forum Island Countries, during the chhese Premier,H.E.Wen Jiabao's official visit to Fiji.
The Guiding Framework is a testament of the political will of both the Pacific Island Countries and China to foster an even stronger economic and trade relations by facilitating trade, investment and economic opportunities, as well as strengthening development cooperation between the two sides.It also serves as a platform for launching an even stronger china-Pacific relations in the coming future.
Since 2006, the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat has been engaged with the People's Republic of China, at a technical level,on behalf of the Forum Island Countries,to explore prospects and opportunities which would assist the two sides in realizing the objectives of the Guiding Framework.A number of exploratory studies on tradeF investment and tourism have been commissioned and I believe a scoping study on a possible Free Trade, Investment and Development Cooperation Agreement is in the pipeline.
I urge this august gathezing to acknowledge and take note of the technical work undertaken thus far and recommend a roadmap towards closer economic ties between the two sides.At the risk of repeating myself,I believe the time is ripe to take China's relations and engagement with the Pacific Region to a higher level.
Trade
If we look at Fiji's bilateral trade with China over the recent years, China has steadily risen to become one of Fiji's main import sources.However, our exports into China on the other hand have remained static, resulting in an ever-widening trade deficit-Exports from the Region have also remained sluggish and one-dimensional, concentrated on only raw materials and primary products.There fore, developing viable export commodities for the large and rapidly growing Chinese market is both a priodty and a chdlenge, not only for Fiji but for the Pacific Island Countries.
In principle, a wellcrafted Free Trade Agreement between China and the Pacific Island Countries,as is proposed,would provide for the progressive removal of barriers to trade and economic integration and facilitate development cooperaHon.It may also helphdeveloping niche export opportunities for Pacific Island Countries in a range of products such as noni juice, fish, mineral water and beverages, Seaweed, pearls and spices.
Investment
We also recognize China as a major source of Foreign Direct Investment in the global context and are aware that Chinese investments have provided signiacant injections to economies in Asia Pacific and around the world. Chinese investment unfortunately has not trickled down to Fiji.THE FDI levels from China to Fiji have been inconsistent to say the least.
Chinese investment h the Region is also low and has the potential to increase.This includes both new ventures and investing in existing ventures.The potential for capital, the large market size and transfer of appropdate technology and skills stemming from FDI from China would provide the much needed economic impetus in the Pacific Region.Thus far, the resource sectors and the tourism sectors have held the most obvious potential but other sectors may offer also opportunities, if we are prepared to think outside the box.I therefore would like to urge my Colleagues from the Pacific and my honored counterparts in the Government of China to sedously consider some of the initiatives that have been proposed in the course of our meetings and discussions, which will go a long way in providing our Pacific Island economies with much needed economic stimuli.
I would also like to acknowledge the Chinese Government's initiative on making available development and investment funds through its soft-loan programme,which has been authorized by china'S Ministry of Finance and facilitated by the Exim Bank of China.There is now credible incentive provided by the Chinese Government to stimulate its state-owned enterprises to seriously consider investments into the Pacific Islands by providing the venture capital and through state guarantees, removing risks of investing in an otherwise unknown terdtory like the Pacific Region.
I would like to humbly request the Government of the Peoples Republic of China to undertake the necessaqreview and assessment of this valuable initiative,and consider incorporating some flexibility,such as the eashg of "originating content requirements" to ensure a greater take-up of this offer from the Pacific.
Tourism
Tourism has been the backbone for the economies of many Island Countries,including Fiji. We are greatly encouraged by the growing chinese visitors coming to Fiji and the Region. This encouraging trend without a doubt has been assisted by the granting of Approved Destination status to many Pacific Island Countries by the Goven1ment of G1ina.Tourism from China is set to increase further with China's steady march towards its destiny of becoming a major economic power in the world, with rise h disposable incomes and prosperity of its people.
Countdes such as Fiji,with bountiful of un-spoilt natural beauty, coupled with highly developed and refined tourism infrastructure that offers luxuqand comfort, in a serene and paradisiacal environmentw,will increasingly become more attractive to Chinese nationals.
However, we should not take the encouraging signs in tourism for granted. We should concentrate our efforts in devishg appropdate programs and initiatives, those especially geared towards marketing and improvement of air connectivity, to facilitate tourism flows from China to the Pacific Islands.
I would also encourage the Pacific Island Countries to prepare well for the 201O Shanghai Expo in corporation with the South-Pacific Travel and Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.This is auspices global event hosted by China would present another grand opportunity to showcase our Island Countries to the people of China and the Asia Pacific Region.
Conclusion
In conclusion,I would like to reiterate my genuine appreciation to the Goven1ment of the People's Republic of China for their warm welcome and hospitality.I am pleased to be given this opportunity to participate in this important Forum which will enhance the relationship between China and our Island nations,building on the foundation of the Guiding Framework.I am also confident that this Ministerial Conference will provide an excellent forum for Chinese and Pacific Island Countries govemment officials, entrepreneurs and the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat to discuss and lay out a road map for future cooperation and devdopment.In this regard, I urge all participants to fully utilize this opportunity and take the next step in formulating a plan of action that will cement trade, investment and tourism ties between Pacific Island Countries and China in the long-run.
Thank you, Xie xie and Vinaka vakalevu! |
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 | Speech Notes at the lnvestment,Trade and Tourism Ministerial Conference of the China-Pacific Island Countries Economic Development and Cooperation Forum 2008-10-17 13:47 |
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| Speech by the Hon Duncan Kerr SC MP at the China-Pacific Island Countries Investment, Trade and Tourism.Ministerial Conference 2008-10-17 10:06 |
| SPEECH BY COOK ISLANDS DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER &MINISTER OF FINANCE SIRTEREPAZMAOATEKBE(MD) 2008-10-17 10:05 |
| DG, Leader of Vanuatu Delegation- Trade, Tourism and Investment Forum China-Pacific Cooperation, Xiamen City 2008-10-13 10:30 |
| Statement by the Acting Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Mr Feleti P Teo 2008-10-10 15:04 |
| Statement by Misa Telefoni Retzlaff, Vice Premier, Minister of Commerce, Industry, Labor and Tourism of Samoa 2008-10-10 10:12 |
| Remarks by Marokon Alilee, Director General of Ministry of Trade, Commerce and Tourism of Vanuatu at the Investment,Trade and Tourism Ministerial Conference of the China-Pacific Island Countries Economic Development and Cooperation Forum 2008-09-27 09:05 |
| Remarks by Dion Taufitu, Associate Minister of Trade and Investment of Niue, at the Investment, Trade and Tourism Ministerial Conference of the China-Pacific Island Countries Economic Development and Cooperation Forum 2008-09-26 17:23 |
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