SUVA, April 29 -- Newly appointed Chinese Special Envoy to the China-Pacific Islands Forum Dialogue Du Qiwen is visiting Fiji this week to re-double efforts for development cooperation.

The special envoy met with Fiji's Minister of Foreign Affairs Ratu Inoke Kubuabola on Monday and was briefed on Fiji's progress towards elections.

Du Qiwen expressed contentment at Fiji's domestic and international progress in the past few years, and especially thanked Kubuabola for Fiji's exemplary leadership in handling the G77 Chair and for Fiji's contribution to UN Peacekeeping operations.

The Chinese special envoy also informed Kubuabola that China is prepared to ship an additional 3 million Yuan worth of police and law enforcement equipment to support Fiji's elections.

He said other forms of assistance are being considered and would be announced in due course.

He added that China places great importance on its relationship with Fiji and looks at new and broader prospects for stronger cooperation for future development between the two sides.

China has offered to expand its relations through further exchanges of senior leaders. A joint senior officials committee meeting is also being planned to be held in Fiji soon.

Du told Fijian officials that China is also seeking ways to encourage more Chinese investors to invest in Fiji and increase exports from Fiji to China. He added that cooperation in the aviation sector is being discussed to boost tourism from China.

China is also considering providing additional assistance toward sustainable development, energy security, climate change and the preservation and conservation of marine resources, the special envoy said.