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China Sending Survey Team for Chief Mailo

Palikir, Pohnpei (Dept. of Foreign Affairs): August 14, 2008 - In an exchange of letters on August 8, 2008, the FSM National Government and Chinese Embassy in Palikir agreed on the dispatch of a team to conduct a maintenance survey of Chief Mailo.

Chief Mailo, the first passenger cargo vessel granted to the FSM by the Chinese Government in 2004 and Chuuk State's only functional cargo-passenger vessel, has been stranded in Moch, Mortlock Islands since a power failure on its way to the Mortlocks Leadership Conference on July 28, 2008.

The FSM National Government will provide technicians to assist the Chinese Survey Team's efforts and offer needed technical materials. Ambassador Liu Fei, through the Chinese Embassy, has offered 250,000 RMB (USD $36,430) for the survey expenses.

For further information contact the Subdivision of Asian Affairs in the Department of Foreign Affairs, (691) 320-2613.