People walk past the Samoa Conference Centre, where the 3rd China-Pacific Island Countries Economic Development and Cooperation Forum is held, in Apia, Samoa, Oct. 21, 2019. (Xinhua/Guo Lei)
"China and the Pacific island countries need to foster win-win cooperation. Such cooperation in my view is essential for sustainable growth," said a Fijian expert.
by Zhang Yongxing, Tai Beiping and Zheng Xin
APIA, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- The cooperation between China and the Pacific island countries (PICs) has great potential and the 3rd China-PICs economic development and cooperation forum will play a positive role in this regard and reinvigorate the comprehensive strategic partnership of mutual respect and common development between China and these countries, a Fijian expert said on Tuesday.
In an interview with Xinhua, Keshmeer Makun, a lecturer of the Fiji-based University of the South Pacific, made comments on the forum which was held in Samoa's capital city of Apia on Monday, saying that the world is going through great development and renovation, and developing economies are faced with shared opportunities and challenges. Hence, it is extremely important for leaders to enhance cooperation.
"China and the PIC belong to the developing world and need to foster win-win cooperation. Such cooperation in my view is essential for sustainable growth," he said.
Building on the Chinese leader's visit to Fiji in 2014 and the APEC meeting in Papua New Guinea (PNG) in 2018, this forum will certainly bring more mutual trust and strengthen communication and coordination on issues of common interest between China and the PIC, he added.
Imagen del 19 de octubre de 2019 de la Torre del Reloj en Apia, capital de Samoa. (Xinhua/Go Lei)
He praised China's cooperation with the Pacific as the most important development in the region over the past decade, saying it has provided new and important development opportunities for the PIC.
While describing the relations between China and the PICs as economically strong, wide ranging and expanding over time, he said that cooperation is an effective tool in economic development and it is important especially for small developing economies including the PICs that face several challenges in their economic development process.
"At macroeconomic level, cooperation among countries can support and reinforce national efforts for development and also bring best practices and goals achieved or lessons learnt in other countries, " he said.
"In fact, the cooperation has led to the PICs receiving substantial economic benefit from China that has helped these countries to progress in many ways. And I think some of the important features of the cooperation are no political conditions, adhering to mutual benefit and common development."
Photo taken on Oct. 19, 2019 shows traditional beach Fales in Samoa. (Xinhua/Guo Lei)
As for the reason why Chinese assistance is widely welcomed by the PICs, he pointed out that China attaches no political conditions and the Chinese assistance is based on the principle of non-interference in the nations' internal affairs.
"Relative to other traditional development partners that focus on things like political and economic reforms, China focuses on infrastructure projects and public facilities like roads, bridges, schools, hospitals, sports facilities and government buildings that bring long term benefits and productivity gains. Therefore, it is not surprising that the PICs have happily accepted the Chinese assistance," he said.
He explained that China's development assistance to Fiji has played an important role in the island nation's overall economic development process.
Photo taken on July 3, 2018 shows the China-aided Stinson Parade Bridge in Suva, Fiji. (Xinhua/Zhang Yongxing)
"It has not only benefited Fiji in terms of infrastructure development, but also in other areas such as climate change, agriculture, human resource development and tourism, which are very crucial for long term sustainable development for Fiji."
The expert said the China-Pacific Tourism Year 2019 marks the opening of the door for cooperation between China and the PICs in tourism sector. This is a very important step and is going to be beneficial for the entire pacific region. The Chinese travellers are looking for new destinations and experiences, and the PICs are sort of untapped yet. What they need to do is to improve air access from China into the Pacific and integrate culture.
He pointed out that many of the PICs lack behind in infrastructure and supply chain logistics which can help them to reduce cost of doing business and enhance production and export in a significant way. Considerable infrastructure investments in communications, seaports, roads, and airports are required to enhance trade and reduce the high cost of doing business and China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is one cooperation mechanism where the PICs can do this with China.
"Recent estimates place the South Pacific's infrastructure needs at 20 billion Fijian dollars (about 9.15 billion U.S. dollars ) over the next decade. Due to decades of underinvestment, economic mismanagement, and natural disasters, the economies of the regional nations remain fragile. Infrastructure investment in the Pacific islands is thus critical, especially funding that supports local growth and meets local needs."
He suggested to address climate change issues within the framework of the BRI agenda by building climate resilient trade infrastructure, for example, using Fiji as the hub of the region, the BRI may aim at creating more efficient shipping routes from Fiji direct to China to reduce the cost of doing business.
From his point of view, both China and the PICs pay great attention to the economies' green development and the fight against climate change.
Photo taken on Oct. 19, 2019 shows a view of the Lalomanu beach on the southern part of Upolu Island, where Samoa's capital Apia is located. (Xinhua/Guo Lei)
"I think there is huge potential in this area. The PICs continue to struggle with the sorts of financing, technology, and infrastructure that can enable them to fully engage not only in green development but also in climate adaptation strategies and other initiatives such as wellbeing of Blue Pacific."
China has technical know-how in renewable energy production, and climate change mitigation and adaption. So the PICs and China have good opportunity to rectify this. With its practical technologies on renewable energy such as solar power and biomass, China can share its expertise with the PICs and help them achieve their renewable energy goals on electricity generation.
"We can enhance this by building a comprehensive climate change strategy. It is essential that China expand programs to help the PICs build resilience and adapt to climate change."
Makun believed that the good relations between China and the PICs are the key factor for the region to keep peace and development.■
