CHINA will offer zero-tariff preference for 97 percent of goods imported from the least developed countries, President Xi Jinping said during his visit to Fiji on Saturday.

    China and eight Pacific island countries agreed to establish a strategic partnership featuring mutual respect and common development. The agreement was announced at a meeting between visiting Xi and the leaders of the eight countries, namely Fiji, Micronesia, Samoa, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, The Cook Islands, Tonga and Niue.

    China is willing to deepen cooperation with the island countries in trade, agriculture and fishery, marine industry, energy and resources, infrastructure construction and other sectors, said Xi.

    On people-to-people exchanges, the Chinese president pledged to provide the island countries with 2,000 scholarships and 5,000 slots for various studies and trainings in the next five years.

    Xi arrived in Nadi on Friday for a state visit to Fiji after his trips to Australia and New Zealand.

    The leaders of the island countries said China’s policy and measures toward the islands countries in the new era meet the actual needs of the countries and will help the countries in their push for sustainable development.

    China’s proposals on the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road and the Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank generate important opportunities for the island countries, they noted.  (Xinhua)