China supports South Pacific tourism [1]
Monday, October 24, 2005 - 17:11. Updated on Saturday, May 10, 2014 - 18:06.
by Pesi Fonua
The offer by China of an annual contribution of USD$100,000 to the South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) during the next five years 2006-10, finalised the regional organisation's decision to reject Taiwan's application for a membership with SPTO.
The Chairman of SPTO, the Minister of Tourism for Papua New Guinea, Hon David Basua, said in a Press Conference in Port Moresby on October 20 that there was a consensus agreement by the members of SPTO in favour of China...s One China Policy to reject Taiwan's memberships application.
Hon. Basua said that in 2002 the SPTO decided to invite countries to become members of SPTO, and extended an invitation to New Zealand and Australia, but neither country was interested. In 2003 both China and Taiwan were invited to become members of SPTO. China applied and its membership was granted, but a decision on Taiwan...s membership application was not decided on until the Ministers of Tourism Meeting in Port Moresby on October 20.
The Samoan Minister of Tourism, Hon. Hans Joachian Keil, said at the Press Conference that since China is a SPTO member, and a Taiwan is not a member, SPTO members who have not been given an Approved Destination Status ADS by China have apply to China for ADS. Tourists from China can travel to only countries that the Chinese government has given ADS.
Hon. Basua also announced at the Press Conference that the SPTO 2006 Council meeting will be held in Tahiti, and the Sixth Biennial Tourism South Pacific Conference will be in Tonga in 2007.
Tonga was represented at the SPTO conference by Va'inga Palu and Taniela Fusimalohi.