In order to promote economic and trade cooperation between China and the Pacific Islands, the Foundation for International Studies, the China Internet Information Center (www.china.com.cn) and the China Development Gateway (www.chinagate.com.cn) will co-host the Pacific Islands Trade Seminar with the Pacific Islands Forum Trade Office and the Pacific Islands Embassies to China on July 17 to 18 in Beijing. This seminar will lay the foundations of bilateral cooperation and exchanges by helping Chinese enterprises understand the investment environment and opportunities, and the development of trade and industry in the Pacific Islands.

Prior to the briefing, Pacific Islands' ambassadors and officials in charge of commerce in China, as well as former Chinese ambassadors to Pacific islands, discussed relevant issues on bilateral economic and trade cooperation when interviewed by the China Internet Information Center and the China Development Gateway.

The Pacific Islands are located in the mid-south of the Pacific Ocean between the Hawaiian Islands and Australia. In this vast region there are only 550,000 km² of land, with a population of no more than 7,500,000. Endowed with tourist attractions, natural resources, and a unique cultural environment, they are developing into a world-famous tourist destination. They also boast rich marine and mineral resources. With half of the world's tuna output, the South Pacific region produces 55% of the world's canned tuna. The area is also rich in energy and mineral resources.

China has always enjoyed good relations with the Pacific region. In recent years complementary interests have become more prevalent, boosting the demand for bilateral cooperation.

The growth of bilateral relations enhances economic and trade exchanges between China and the Pacific islands. From 1999 to 2004, bilateral trade rose from US$168 million to US$623 million, and reached a high of US$839 million in 2005, with a year-on-year growth of 58%.

In addition to bilateral trade, economic aid and mutually beneficial cooperation constitute an important part of bilateral economic and trade relations. By the end of 2004, China had signed numerous economic and technological cooperation contracts in the region with a total volume of US$1.39 billion and finished turnover of US$1.25 billion.

The Chinese government always actively encourages Chinese enterprises to "Go Out" (do business abroad), cooperating with their Pacific counterparts based on local economic characteristics so as to enhance the added value of local products, increase employment opportunities, and in the final analysis promote local economic prosperity and development.

(China Development Gateway July 3, 2008)