DHAKA: China will provide a concessionary loan of up to US$1 billion to Pacific island nations, a part of the world where Beijing and Taiwan compete for influence, to support construction projects.

China state media on Friday cited vice-premier Wang Yang as saying, reports The Straits Times,

Wang made the announcement at a forum with Pacific island nations in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou, the official Xinhua news agency reported.

It provided no other details on the loan.

China will also build medical facilities in the region and send medical teams as well as invest in green energy projects, Xinhua cited Wang as saying.

The meeting was attended by representatives from Micronesia, Samoa, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, the Cook Islands, Tonga, Niue and Fiji, the news agency added.

BDST: 2029 HRS, NOV 08, 2013
RoR/RIS