SUVA (Pacnews) — Fiji Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase will head a 20-member government delegation to China this weekend.
Included in the delegation are Minister for Works Savenaca Draunidalo and Minister for Foreign Affairs Kaliopate Tavola.
The official delegation will be accompanied by a group of private businessmen, who will be using this trip as an opportunity to strengthen trade relations with their counterparts in China.
The visit is being undertaken to strengthen diplomatic and trade ties between the two nations. Fiji is a loyal supporter of the “One China” policy and has opened an embassy in China last year.
The visit will also serve as an opportunity for the Chinese and Fiji governments to sign essential memorandums of understanding for fisheries, health and education.
The MOU for fisheries is expected to deal with Chinese aid on providing technical aspects of freshwater fishing.
The MOU for the health is expected to deal with aid on the upgrading of facilities in all hospitals and health centers, while the education MOU will deal with student cultural exchange programs.
Qarase also spoke on exploring potential products to increase export to China. He said there is a possibility that Fiji’s potentially lucrative mahogany reserves, if an agreement is ever reached to harvest them, will be sent to China.
There are also long-term plans for a direct Fiji-China flight in the future to develop the China tourism market for Fiji.
The delegation returns to the country on June 2.
