SUVA, March 23 -- China and Fiji on Monday signed a memorandum of understanding on forestry cooperation, which will enable both countries to share experiences on forestry developments, training, research, climate change and the exportation of forest products to China.

At the signing ceremony in the Fijian capital, Zhao Shucong, head of China's State Forestry Administration, said the document is a starting point for both countries to be able to improve their resources and share their experiences of forestry developments.

Inviting Osea Naiqamu, Fiji's minister for fisheries and forests, to visit China, Zhao said the MoU will also strengthen and promote forestry cooperation to a higher level and build up more cooperation between China and Fiji.

Echoing Zhao's remarks, Naiqamu said the MoU will help them work to improve their resource base and build a more resilient forest sector.

"We see this MoU as a means for building closer ties and more collaboration and we are confident that it will open new doors and create new opportunities within the forest sector of the two countries," said he.