Delegation from China’s Putian City pay courtesy visit to SPTO

August 29 2017, Suva, FIJI- A delegation from Putian City in eastern Fujian province, China paid a courtesy call on the South Pacific Tourism Organisation office last Friday (25/08), as part of a visit to promote cultural, trade and tourism cooperation between Putian Municipal City and member countries of SPTO.

The visit builds on relationships established with Putian City during a visit to China by a delegation from SPTO in 2016 with a common desire to nurture the cordial relationship and exchanges to foster closer cooperation between the region and China. The SPTO delegation had attended the China Meizhou Mazu Cultural Tourism Festival on Meizho Island in Putian to promote people-to-people exchange through tourism.

SPTO Chief Executive Officer, Chris Cocker spoke highly of the relationship with China and the visit to Putian City last year.

“SPTO greatly values its relationship with the People’s Republic of China and is very proud to have China as a major development partner over the years. Our relationship continues to be strengthened by China’s representation on the SPTO Board of Directors and through the marketing activities we implement in China every year”.

“I’m especially proud that the delegation from Putian is visiting Fiji’s Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism, our partner, and SPTO as not only will this visit provide an opportunity for dialogue, but our friends will be able to enjoy truly wonderful Fijian hospitality and the warmth of our Pacific people in cosmopolitan Suva,” Mr Cocker said.

He noted that SPTO has an exciting future with China with the ties to be further enhanced with reciprocal visits such as the visit from the delegation from Putian City this week.

The meeting has been facilitated by Dr. Yolinda Chan, Trade Commissioner of Fiji based in Shanghai.

The delegation will meet the Management of SPTO and Fiji’s Permanent Secretary and Minister for Industry, Trade and Tourism.

The delegation comprised of the Chairman of Putian Municipal Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Lin Qingsheng, the Secretary-General of Putian Municipal Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Chen Jianhua, The Director of Foreign and Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of Putian Municipality, Zhang Zongxian, the Chairman of Putian Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese Chen Jintang –and a staff member of the Putian Municipal People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries Zheng Jianxiong

About SPTO

Established in 1983 as the Tourism Council of the South Pacific, the South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) is the mandated organisation representing Tourism in the region. Its 18 Government members are American Samoa, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Nauru, Marshall Islands, New Caledonia, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and the People’s Republic of China. In addition to government members, the South Pacific Tourism Organisation enlists a private sector membership base.

ENDS

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