Chinese Government provides grant for Agricultural and Fisheries Technical Cooperation Project

Project narrative

On September 20, 2019, the Government of Kiribati announced that it was severing diplomatic ties with the Republic of China (‘Taiwan’) and establishing diplomatic ties with the People’s Republic of China (‘China’). Then, in January 2020, the PRC Government and the Government of Kiribati signed an exchange of letters, which committed an unknown amount of grant funding for the Agricultural and Fisheries Technical Cooperation Project. On October 8, 2020, during the Covid-19 global pandemic, a team of agricultural and fishery experts from China arrived in Kiribati (after 18 days of sailing on the ocean). The major tasks of the team included: (1) to investigate local conditions and collect professional and technical information, (2) adjust the original implementation plan, (3) restore farm agricultural and fishery production, (4) enter the communities on the main island of South Tarawa and 8 outer islands to carry out technical guidance on agricultural and fishery production, and (5) carry out technical training for farming students and community farmers. The Chinese Department of Agriculture’s provincial office in Hubei, a leading producer of freshwater crayfish, was responsible for project implementation. Project implementation commenced on October 8, 2020 and reached completion on September 30, 2021. The project focused on the provision of training in commercial aquaculture. Then, on November 19, 2021, Kiribati’s Minister of Agriculture of Kiribati Ruateki expressed appreciation to the Chinese expert team for their contributions in advising local people on the methods of production regarding agriculture, fishery, and other related areas. The Exchange Letters for Agriculture and Aquaculture cooperation project phase II were signed by H.E. Ambassador Tang Songgen and Hon. Minister Ruateki Tekaiara on 03/29/2022.