12/06 China special Envoy to the PIF Dialogue visits MSG Sec Port-Vila

China Special Envoy to the Pacific Islands Forum Dialogue visits MSG Secretariat

 Chinese delegation with DG Forau and the staff of the MSG Secretariat at the HQ in Port-Vila

Credit photo : MSG sec

The China Special Envoy to the Pacific Islands Forum Dialogue, Mr Li Qiangmin made his first courtesy call on the Director General of the Melanesian Spearhead Group Secretariat, Mr. Peter Forau on Friday 8 June, 2012 at the MSG headquarters in Port Vila, Vanuatu.

During his visit, His Excellency Ambassador Quiangim was accompanied by His Excellency the Ambassador of the Government of the People’s Republic of China in the Republic of Vanuatu, Mr Cheng Shuping, Mr Zeng Jianhua, the Counselor of the Chinese Embasssy of the Peoples Republic of China in Vanuatu, Mr Liu Bo, Second Secretary of the Department of North Amercian and Oceanian Affairs of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, Mr Minglei Zhang, Attache at the Chinese Embassy in Port Vila and Mr. Zhang Ning.

In welcoming Ambassador Qiangmin and his delegation, Director General of the MSG Secretariat, Mr Peter Forau extended congratulations to Ambassador Qiangmin for his appointment as Special Envoy to the Pacific Islands Forum Dialogue and thanked the Government of the Peoples  Republic of China for the recognition given to the MSG as an important regional institution. He also thanked the Government of the Peoples Republic of China for their continuous support and assistance in maintaining the MSG Secretariat building, capacity building programs for MSG members and towards the Secretariat work programs.

Ambassador Qiangmin thanked DG Forau and Divisional Directors and staff of the Secretariat for the warm welcome and said that he was very honored to make his first visit to Vanuatu and to the headquarters of the Melanesian Spearhead Group.  He stated the purpose of his visit to the region was to enhance the cooperation between the People’s Republic of China and the regional organizations of the Pacific including the MSG, and to promote cooperation in various areas including politics and security, trade, economic and social development cooperation, culture and other areas of mutual interest.

In their discussions, DG Forau expressed appreciation for the continuous cooperation and growing relations between the Government of the Peoples Republic of China and the Melanesian Spearhead Group and its members.  MSG continues to enjoy fruitful dialogue, cooperation and relations with the Government of the Peoples Republic of China through various programmes and activities of the Secretariat.

Ambassador Qiangimin stated that this relationship is symbolized by the MSG Headquarters built by the Chinese Government in 2008 which they will continue to maintain and support to enable the Secretariat to carry out its work programmes.

PR MSG Sec