China-aided cargo vessel handed over to Fiji

2011-12-30 03:13:52 GMT2011-12-30 11:13:52(Beijing Time) ?Xinhua English

SUVA, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- China here Friday handed over a new multi-purpose cargo vessel to the Fijian government to assist the island nation's fisheries economy.

Fiji's Minister of Primary Industries Joketani Cokanasiga and Chinese Ambassador to Fiji Huang Yong attended the hand-over ceremony held at the Narayan Jetty in Suva. The China-build vessel, called the "Bai Ni Takali", arrived at the Kings Wharf here Wednesday. It is a 5.3 million Fiji dollars ( 2.9 million U.S. dollars) Chinese aided vessel and it will be used for exploratory fishing in the island nation.

Speaking at the occasion, Ambassador Huang said that at the request of the Fiji government, the Chinese government decided to build a multi-purpose cargo vessel for the island nation to support its efforts in management and utilization of Fishery resources.

As Fiji enjoys huge marine areas and rich fishery resources, fishery has huge potential to increase its contribution in poverty alleviation and economic development, said Huang, hoping that the vessel shall be as stable and reliable as its name "Bai Ni Takali" (defensive wall on the sea), and be of assistance for the Fiji fishery administration in facilitating fishery activities.

Cokanasiga extended Fiji government's "deepest and sincere gratitude and appreciation" to China for the "wonderful" vessel and described it as a "Christmas gift" for the people of Fiji.

"This vessel that your government has provided for Fiji symbolizes the strong and growing relationship between our two countries, a relationship that Fiji is proud and we hope that it will continue long into the future," he said.

According to Commander Viliame Naupoto, Permanent Secretary of Fiji's Department for Fisheries and Forests, the "Bai Ni Takali" vessel will be mainly used for exploratory fishing, targeting other species apart from tuna. It will also be useful in procuring and buying marine resources from outer islands, with accessibility for export and frozen cargo capability.

It will start sailing by the third week of January, Naupoto said, adding "the crew of the vessel have already been recruited and they will undergo training from next week. The training will be held for a couple of weeks after which it will start sailing."

Source: http://english.sina.com/china/2011/1229/427522.html

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