---

President Mori Meets Delegation from Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China

Palikir, Pohnpei (FSM Information Services): July 16, 2010 - On July 13, after a brief visit in Chuuk, Deputy Secretary General Liu Xiao Jie of the People's Government of Guangdong Province, PRC, and his delegation, were welcomed to the FSM Capitol by President Mori.

Mori thanked Jie and his delegation for their visit. He explained that the FSM had the potential for small scale industries, but primarily needs to focus on the development of its tourism. Mori underlined that in order to be able to welcome tourists, the FSM needs to strengthen its infrastructure; he expressed his hope that Guangdong Province will be able to assist the FSM in such matters.

Effectively, Jie confirmed a Memorandum of Understanding had been signed between Chuuk and Guangdong Province to establish a friendship between the two areas and also a cooperative relationship in the fields of agriculture, fisheries, tourism and energy. "We were deeply impressed by the friendliness, hospitality and kindness of your people," said Jie.

Guangdong Province, 179,000 square kilometers, is one of the 23 Chinese Provinces, located in the southern part of China, with a population of 113,000,000. Guangdong is one of China's most prosperous provinces; according to provincial annual preliminary statistics, Guangdong's GDP in 2009 reached CNY3,908,159 million, or US$572,121 million.