General News
The Government of the People’s Republic of China today officially handed over the financial component of its annual assistance to the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).

The Chinese Ambassador to Samoa, His Excellency Mr Wang Xuefeng, presented a cheque for USD 150,000 to SPREP Director General Kosi Latu at a ceremony held at the SPREP campus in Vailima earlier this morning.

The People’s Republic of China has provided financial support and assistance to the Secretariat since 2003, to enable them to carry out the work that they do within the Pacific region, which H.E Ambassador Wang has said the Chinese government consider to be very important.

P1160104The Chinese Ambassador to Samoa, His Excellency Mr Wang Xuefeng, hands over the cheque for the People's Republic of China's annual financial support to SPREP Director General, Mr Kosi Latu.
Photo: SPREP

“SPREP is a very important organisation in the Pacific region and is playing a more and more significant role in better addressing environmental issues together with Pacific island countries,” said H.E Ambassador Wang Xuefeng.

“The Chinese Government and the Chinese Embassy in Samoa attach great importance to cooperation with SPREP and have maintained a constructive relationship with SPREP over the past years.”

SPREP Director General, Mr Kosi Latu, thanked the Ambassador and the Government of China for their annual support, which enables the Secretariat to support some of its most important projects and initiatives each year.

“The funding support from the Government of China which the Secretariat receives annually is greatly appreciated. Our partnership with the Chinese Government has been strengthened through a number of initiatives over the years, including in recent times, the attachment  of post-graduate students from Chinghua University, and we look forward to more experts from China coming to SPREP,” said Mr Latu.

P1160109Staff of SPREP with His Excellency Ambassador Wang Xuefeng after the presentation. Photo: SPREP

“We recognise and acknowledge China’s efforts in prioritising environmental and climate change issues, as noted by their taking the lead with the United States on the Paris Agreement in November last year and in their subsequent ratification in September of this year which created the momentum for other countries to also quickly ratify the Paris Agreement. We look forward to continuing our partnership with the Chinese Government for the betterment of all the people of the Pacific region.”

The financial support will be utilised to support SPREPs core functions, and various projects at SPREP including  climate change .