AUCKLAND, New Zealand - China will continue to be a positive and constructive force in the Pacific region and to help Pacific island countries (PICs) achieve sustainable economic and social development, a senior Chinese diplomat said Friday.

China was a sincere friend and cooperation partner of PICs and attached great importance to the development of relations with them, Vice Foreign Minister Cui Tiankai said at the 23rd Post- Forum Dialogue of the 42nd Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders Meeting in Auckland.

China would welcome visits by more PIC government, parliament and political party leaders in the future, while encouraging more competent Chinese enterprises to invest in PICs.

"We will faciitate closer business ties and further cooperation between the two sides in agriculture, animal husbandry and fishery, " said Cui, who is also the head of the Chinese delegation to the PIF.

China would also help PICs achieve the Millennium Development Goals, including building infrastructure, sending medical teams, training professionals and writing off debts of least developed island countries.

More scholarships for students would be provided to PICs and media delegation of PICs would be received to advance "people-to- people and cultural exchanges and cooperation."

Cui also promised that China would contribute $400,000 to the China-PIF Cooperation Fund to be used for agreed projects.

China was willing to continue to provide economic and technical support to PICs and make efforts in areas of tourism, energy and fisheries.

Its aid to PICs would be better structured, and the projects which were needed urgently and wide-reaching for better living standards and clean energy would be increased.

Cui said China would step up "practical cooperation" with PICs and give favorable consideration to hosting training courses this year for PICs and other developing countries on tropical crops, marine economy, low-carbon agriculture and climate change.