NADI, Fiji -- The upcoming first ministerial meeting of the China-Pacific Island Countries Economic Development and Cooperation Forum is set to further promote friendly cooperation to mutually benefit China and the Pacific Island countries, said a senior Chinese official on Monday.

The China-Pacific Island Countries Economic Development and Cooperation Forum Ministerial Meeting 2006, co-sponsored by the governments of China and the Republic of the Fiji Islands, is due to take place here on April 5-6.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, who is scheduled to pay an official visit to Fiji on April 4-5, will deliver a keynote speech at the opening ceremony for the conference to be attended by some 600 participants.

In his speech, Wen will elaborate on China's policies concerning Pacific island countries and offer opinions and make proposals for furthering ties between China and the Pacific island countries, said Liu Jieyi, director-general of the Department of North American and Oceanian Affairs of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs in an exclusive interview with Xinhua.

Premier Wen will also meet with other leaders of Pacific island countries on the sidelines of the meeting, which will witness the signing of "China-Pacific Island Countries Economic Development and Cooperation Guiding Framework."

China will also sign a series of agreements with Pacific island countries on bilateral cooperation in economy and trade during the meeting, said Liu.

To further friendly cooperative ties between China and Pacific island countries is in the interests of both sides and conducive to peace and development in the Asia-Pacific region, said Liu.

In the past 30 years, China has been committed to developing friendly cooperative ties with Pacific island countries in the fields of trade and economy, culture, education and health.

China and Pacific island countries have identical or similar positions in many major international and regional issues, as China and Pacific island countries are all developing countries faced with the tasks of developing a national economy and improving livelihood.

China supports efforts made by Pacific island countries to safeguard sovereignty and independence, to guarantee national rights and interests and to strengthen regional cooperation, said Liu.

China also supports their rational appeal in exploring and protecting maritime resources and in dealing with climate change and rising sea levels, the official said.

In the meantime, China's causes of economic development, opening-up and national reunification have also won steadfast support from Pacific island countries and other developing countries, said Liu.

China and Pacific island countries see their economies as highly complementary, offering a great deal of business opportunities, he said.

Pacific island countries boast abundant maritime, forestry, mineral and tourism resources and China has advantages in market, capital and technology, he said.

The trade volume between China and the Pacific island countries stood at 838 million U.S. dollars in 2005, up 58 percent from the previous year.

China has made due contributions to the economic and social development of Pacific island countries by providing sincere assistance without attaching any political strings, the official said.

China is also actively engaged in regional cooperation. China has become a dialogue partner of the Pacific Islands Forum and has decided to provide financial support for the implementation of the "Pacific Plan" adopted at the summit meeting of the Pacific Islands Forum last year.

The China-Pacific Island Countries Economic Development and Cooperation Forum was formed at the initiative of the Chinese government with the theme of promoting cooperation for common development.