Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Zhou Wenzhong said Tuesday at the Post-Forum Partners' Dialogue of the 15th PIF Conference that the one-China policy is essential to smooth development of China-PIF relations.

"We appreciate the PIF's rejection of Taiwan's bid to be a dialogue partner at the previous meeting," said Zhou.

But he urged PIF members to "remain highly vigilant to the political maneuvering of the Taiwan authorities to split up China and undermine China's relations with the PIF and countries having diplomatic relations with China."

"The Taiwan authorities are vigorously carrying out a 'dollar diplomacy,' trying to buy their way into official relations with some countries that have economic difficulties at present."

Zhou said that the Taiwan authorities had provoked internal turbulence in certain countries and jeopardized regional stability to the detriment of the fundamental and long-term interests of countries and peoples in the South Pacific region.

He went on to say that China supports the efforts of PIF members to develop national economies and improve their people's livelihoods. "China will continue to do its utmost to provide aid to all island countries that have diplomatic relations with China."

Zhou was very positive about the panel dialogue, stating that progress had been made in China's relations with the forum and with countries in the region.

Trade and economic relations between China and PIF members expanded steadily. Trade between China and the 14 small island countries, exclusive of Australia and New Zealand, was US$500 million last year, an increase of 68 percent year-on-year.

Some of the forum members are among the world's smallest and poorest countries. Many have scarce natural resources and rely on aid and tourism for survival.

Zhou said that China has pledged US$30 million to an Asian Development Bank (ADB) Fund and US$20 million to set up a China Special Fund for Poverty Reduction and Regional Cooperation, which will provide support in the Asia-Pacific region.

During the Post-Forum Dialogue, China agreed to grant approved destination status to Fiji, Vanuatu, Tonga and the Cook Islands for Chinese tourists. A governmental delegation will also attend the meeting of the Council of Tourism Ministers of the South Pacific Tourism Organization.

After the meeting, Zhou said that most forum members showed interest in obtaining tourism destination status. He indicated that that was likely to be accomplished in phases.

The forum comprises Australia, the Cook Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papau New Guinea, Samoa, the Solomons, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

China first participated in the partners' dialogue in 1990.

(China Daily August 11, 2004)