Vice Minister Ma stated that China and PICs have conducted cooperation in fishing, aquaculture and processing of aquatic products and carried out projects throughout the industrial chain, yielding fruitful results as the two sides have implemented the third China-Pacific Island Countries Economic Development and Cooperation Forum and the Nadi Declaration of China-Pacific Island Countries Agricultural Ministers’ Meeting. 

Vice Minister Ma noted that China and PICs enjoy vast potential for cooperation. China is ready to work with PICs to forge closer relations on the basis of equality and mutual benefit in the following ways:  

Firstly, the two sides shall improve mechanisms, including the establishment of a multilateral intergovernmental consultation mechanism on fisheries and regularly hold China-Pacific Island Countries Fishery Cooperation and Development Forum;  

Secondly, the two sides shall, in the principle of green development, jointly combat IUU fishing and leverage the South-South Cooperation Trust Fund in fishery development in PICs with cooperation with the FAO;  

Thirdly, the two sides shall deepen S&T cooperation in aquaculture technology, fishery facilities and equipment, and aquatic products processing and work towards the establishment of a center for China-PICs modern fishery cooperation and exchanges; and   

Fourthly, the two sides shall boost economic and trade cooperation by promoting market access and free trade and investment in PICs in areas of fishing, aquaculture, fishing boat repair and building, fishing harbor construction, aquatic products processing and cold chain logistics. 

The Guangzhou Consensus of the First China-Pacific Island Countries Forum on Fishery Cooperation and Development was adopted by the Forum. 

The Forum was jointly organized by the MARA and the People’s Government of Guangdong Province. Ministers of agriculture and fisheries of PICs, envoys to China, and representatives of relevant international and regional organizations attended the Forum.