Officials from the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China visited the FSM

Palikir, Pohnpei (Department of Foreign Affairs):  A delegation comprised of four members from the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China visited FSM from 22-25 December 2014. The delegation was headed by Mr. Fang Qiuchen, Deputy Director General of the Department of American and Oceanian Affairs. The delegation’s visit to the FSM was at the request of President Mori during the Second China-Pacific Island Countries Economic Development and Cooperation Forum in Guangzhou, China of November 2013. The purpose of their visit was to discuss the possibility of establishing a Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade between FSM and China to promote and enhance economic and trade relations.

On the morning of 23 December 2014, the delegation paid a courtesy on H.E. President Manny Mori.  The delegation explained that the visit is an indication of China’s positive response to the President’s request for more periodic meetings to discuss development cooperation between the two countries.  The President thanked the delegation for their positive response and encouraged them to work closely with the relevant FSM Departments to formalize the creation of the Joint Commission soonest.

Following the courtesy call, the delegation had a joint meeting withthe Department of Foreign Affairs as head of the FSM side and other members including Department of Transportation, Communication and Infrastructure, Department of Resources and Development, Department of Finance and Administration and the Office of Statistics, Budget and Economic Management, Overseas Development Assistance and Compact Management (SBOC). The two sides held discussions on establishing the China-FSM Joint Economic and Trade Commission and mechanism and agreed on the content of the Memoradum of Understanding (MOU) which will be signed when the first Commission Meeting convenes on March of 2015. The MOU will include the guiding principles, contents, leading agencies, composition of members, level and the meetings of the Commission. The MOU will take effect as of the date of its signature and shall remain valid for ten years.

In attendance during the courtesy call were Secretary of Foreign Affairs, T.H. Lorin Robert, Secretary of Resources and Development, T.H. Marion Henry, Secretary of Transportation, Communication and Infrastructure, T.H. Francis Itimai, Secretary of Finance and Administration, T.H. Kensley Ikosia and Director of SBOC, Ms. Evelyn Adolph among others.

For further information on this release, please contact Department of Foreign Affairs, APAMA Division.