On November 4, Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao held a group meeting with representatives from five Pacific Island Countries: Minister of Resources and Development of the Federated States of Micronesia, Elina Akinaga; Minister of Tourism, Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives of Kiribati, Tangariki Reete; Minister for RONPHOS of Nauru, Delvin Thoma; Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and External Trade of Vanuatu, Marc Ati; and Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Trade, Cooperatives, SMEs and Communications of Fiji, Shaheen Ali. Following the meeting, Minister Wang Wentao signed the Framework Agreement on Enhanced Economic Partnership(EEPA) respectively with the representatives of these five countries.

The EEPA consists of a preamble and articles covering objectives, principles, scope of negotiations, contact points, institutional arrangements, future development, entry into force, and amendment and termination. Upon signing EEPA, China and the five Pacific Island Countries agree to engage in flexible and pragmatic negotiations on specific areas, so as to expand two-way trade, and support Pacific Island Countries in attracting investment, speeding up industrialization and agricultural modernization, as well as deeply participating in global industrial and supply chain cooperation. These efforts are intended to promote common development and build a closer community with a shared future between China and the Pacific Island Countries.

The signing of the EEPA represents a major step in implementing the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress and the plenary sessions of the 20th CPC Central Committee. In accordance with the EEPA, China will actively advance negotiations on specific areas with the above countries on the basis of mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, further expanding high-standard opening-up and sharing its vast market and development opportunities with Pacific Island Countries. The outcomes of EEPA will surely deliver benefits to businesses and peoples on both sides as early as possible.