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China Agrees to Pay for Maintenance of Yap Vessel

Palikir, Pohnpei (FSM Information Services): June 17, 2010 - Ambassador Weidong Zhang of the Chinese Embassy and Lorin Robert, FSM Secretary of Foreign Affairs, signed today a letter agreement stipulating that the Chinese Government will provide maintenance to the Yap cargo-passenger vessel donated by the People's Republic of China.

The Chinese Government will be responsible for the return trip of the vessel to the shipyard and all maintenance work performed on the vessel. The Chinese Government also committed to training crew members. All costs shall be paid out of the gratuitous assistance granted under the Agreement on the Economic and Technical Cooperation signed by the People's Republic of China and the FSM on December 26, 2008, and July 9, 2009.

Prior to sending the vessel back to its shipyard, the Chinese Government will send a team to Yap, assisted by FSM technicians, to conduct a survey of the vessel. "This is an important agreement," said Zhang, "guaranteeing Yap's basic needs in the areas of transportation and communication."