At the invitation of the Chinese ministry of Commerce, the Minister for Industry and Commerce Mr. Gabriel Kapris visited China from 12^th to 24th March with a five-man delegation. Parliament Member Hon Ronald Asik and, IPA Managing Director Ivan Pomaleu accompanied him. He visited, besides Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhow, Shenzhen and Hong Kong.

The Important  Meetings In Beijing Mr.Kapris met with the Chinese vice Minister of Commerce Ms. Ma Xuehong and her collegues.During the meeting Minister Kapris reaffirmed the governments One- China policy and expressed the strong willingness to promote development of the economic co-operations between the two countries.Ms. Ma, coming from the on going Peoples Congress annual sessions, is happy for the 31.4% growth of the total Sino-PNG trade last year and said China is committed to join PNGs efforts to push the bilateral trade and investment forward. Both sides agreed to support the forthcoming PNG-Sino Investment &Trade Symposium holding in Port Moresby on 1 July.

The PNG-Sino Seminars Minister Kapris made a speech to some 100 Chinese entrepreneurs at the PNG-Sino Investment &Trade Seminar held at CCPITs meeting hall on the 14^th march. Mr. Ivan Pomaleu presented the investment and trade policies and possibilities in PNG. Ambassador Momis gave an interview to an International Trade correspondent during the meeting. He urged the Chinese Businessmen to make full use of the good relations and invest in PNG. Their remarks got very positive response.

In Shanghai the Minister attended a similar seminar which more than 120 well known businessmen came to. In Guangzhou the conference was a little smaller. But the attendees there seemed more enthusiastic. A constructor took initiative and talked about his positive experience during his work for the University dormitory building project which gave the attendees a living example for investment environment in PNG.

Economic Cooperation During the visit the Minister and Mr. Pomaleu informed the Chinese Businessmen different projects in mining, fishery, construction and bank affair. The government fishery Park seems appealing to quite a few Chinese companies. They discussed also different ways to finance the projects. In Hong Kong the businessmen from Philippines expressed big interest in Fishery Park and goldmines.

Positive response Many Chinese businessmen called or visited the Embassy to ask for further information after the visit. Some of them invited the Ambassador to visit their cities and companies to discuss further cooperation.