15 September 2013
MORE BALANCE: Fang Quichen says islands could boost exports to China.
China wants to build more trade with Samoa and other Pacific Islands – but does not officially support the idea of building casinos.
“China implemented its very own National Policy not to invest in building casinos,” said Fang Qiuchen, the Deputy Director General of the Department of American and Oceanian Affairs in the Ministry of Commerce.
They also have a policy against allowing casinos to operate in local markets.
His comments came during a meeting with the Pacific Press delegation currently touring China at the invitation of the Chinese government.
In his brief remarks, he said that in 2012, trade volume between China and the Pacific Island countries totalled US$4.5 billion.
“China import volume from the island countries was USD$1.2 billion and the export volume reached USD$3.3 billion.”
“Meanwhile, China’s outward FDI flow to the Pacific Island Countries reached USD$148 million.”
He said that they could increase imports from Pacific countries for products suitable to China.
“The imbalance is not so big.”
Agriculture products are the biggest import sector.
Mr. Fang said that one company in China is now working to bring back Vanuatu kava (ava) to the market for use in production of medical pills.
“If it functions well and is well-known to Chinese consumers, the future market here in China is huge.”
Mr. Fang said that they had a huge potential and it all depends on what kind of products the islands have to offer.
“We 'do' want to import more from Pacific island so that export can better be balanced”, he said.
China “also has international relations with other foreign countries aimed at enhancing friendly co-operation and building investment capacity.”
The Sunday Samoan asked if there was an opportunity for coconut exports from Samoa such as is already in place for Vanuatu kava.
“We import quite a lot from Philipines, Indonesia but not from Samoa,” he said.
“I wonder whether we have imported from Samoa, if not, please let us know.”
“We need it and I will promote that in the next 2nd China-Pacific Forum Island Countries Economic Development and Cooperation Forum on the 9th November.”
A 2011 information paper from the State Council of China outlines the foreign aid policy of China.
“China has been constantly enriching, improving and developing the Eight Principles for Economic Aid and Technical Assistance to other countries – the guiding principles of China foreign aid put forward in the 1960s.
“China is the world’s largest developing country with a large population, a poor foundation and uneven economic development.”
“As development remains an arduous and long standing task, China’s foreign aid falls into the category of South-South cooperation and is mutual help between developing countries.”
Basic features of China’s foreign aid policy are as follows:
- Unremittingly helping recipient countries build up their self development capacity.
- Imposing no political conditions
- Adhering to equality mutual benefit and common development
- Remaining realistic while striving for the best
- Keeping pace with the times and paying attention to reform and innovation
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