China offers Moldova non-reimbursable assistance

China will provide 20 million yuan (about US$3 million) in non-reimbursable assistance to Moldova, Info-Prim Neo reports. Prime Minister Vlad Filat and the Ambassador of China in Chisinau Shi Longzhuang signed an agreement of economic and technical cooperation between the Government of China and the Government of Moldova on December 17. According to the Premier, this is a framework agreement that provides for the allocation of 20 million yuan in non-reimbursable assistance by China at the first stage. The ares in which the money will be used will be agreed with the Chinese authorities later, but a part of the resources will probably go to cover the participation of the Moldovan companies in the Shanghai World Expo-2010 and to finance activities aimed at promoting the Moldovan wines in China. “The technical assistance provided by China to Moldova amounts to US$12 million. The bilateral relations develop and I can say that we made progress in the negotiation of the Chinese loan of US$1 billion,” Filat said. For his part, Ambassador Shi Longzhuang said that a traditional relationship of friendship and cooperation exists between Moldova and China and the two countries support each other in a number of areas. He confirmed that the Government of China is ready to continue providing assistance to Moldova for economic development and in improving the living standards. A communique from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration issued the same day says the Moldovan Prime Minister will take part in Shanghai World Expo-2010 as a relevant decision was already approved.