China proposes to set up China-Pacific Island Countries EDC Forum

Yang Jieci, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chinese government representative, put up an official proposal to establish "China-Pacific Island Countries Economic Development and Cooperation Forum" to promote the cooperation in environment protection, tourism, legislation, education, farming, fishery and health among China and Pacific countries on the dialogue meeting after the 17th session of the Pacific Island Countries Forum held in Port Moresby on March 28th.

　　Yang Jieci announces the measure of strengthening the mutual cooperation relationship on behalf of Chinese government which including "Pacific Plan" that sponsors to this session of forum conference and adopts by the forum.

　　Yan Jieci also introduces the resent situation of the two sides between Taiwan Strait and reaffirms the principle position of Chinese government on Taiwan issue. The forum parties show that they will keep One-China policy to deal with the issues related with Taiwan.

　　The two sides also further the mutual understanding and trust via exchanging opinions on the UN reformation, WTO and small weak economic entities, cooperation development and other issues.

　　During the dialogue meeting, Yang Jieci meets separately with Primer Somare and the leaders attending the Summit Conference of the 36th session Pacific Island Countries Forum including Foreign Minister Namaliu of Papua New Guinea, President Urusemal and Foreign Minister Anefal of Federated States of Micronesia, Primer Oarase and Foreign Minister Tavola of Fiji, Primer Lini and Finance Minister Cacasses, as well as Foreign Minister Tupou of Tango, Industrial and Commercial Minister Keil of Samoa and some other representatives from Cook Islands.

　　The predecessor of Pacific Island Countries Forum is South Pacific Forum and it is also the regional cooperation organization which was founded in 1971 to enhance the regional cooperation and coordinate the foreign policy. At present, the organization consists of Australia, Cook Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Marshall Island, Samoa, Solomon Island, Tango, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. The Summit Conference is held once a year by the Forum and is followed by the dialogue meeting. During the meeting, communication and cooperation issues are discussed by the government representatives from China, US, Canada, Japan, Britain and the membership countries.