The Honourable Minister Ribanataake Tiwau and his delegation accomplished a record of 10 international meetings in just nine days; from 14 to 23 October 2026, across several cities in China.

These engagements include;

- Five Board Directors/Shareholders meetings of our joint-venture companies (KFL, KIFL, KTFL, KBPL & CNFC) in Shanghai, Zhoushan and Beijing;

- A signing ceremony of a Master Agreement between Kiribati and China National Fisheries Company (CNFC), one of China’s largest state-owned fisheries enterprises in Beijing;

- A meeting with the Vice Minister and Senior Officials of China’s Ministry of Natural Resources in Beijing;

- A meeting with Vice President and Senior Officials of China MinMetals Corporation, China major state-owned minerals company, in Beijing;

- A meeting with the Director General and Senior Officials of China Deep Ocean Affairs Administration of the Ministry of Natural Resources in Beijing; and

- A meeting with General Manager and Senior Officials of the China Mechanical and Engineering Company (CMEC), one of China’s largest state-owned engineering and construction companies, in Beijing.

Despite the hectic schedule, a total of AUD$3.725 million dividends was declared for Government of Kiribati from all JV Companies, several other important decisions were reached, new partnerships were built, and clear next steps were agreed to further cooperation between China and Kiribati through MFOR in critical development areas such as fisheries, food security, deep-sea minerals and infrastructure. It is important to note that our Chinese JV Companies also purchased signficant fishing days valued at over AUD$40 million every year contributing significantly to Government's revenue collection, and provided employment to our people on top of their dividends every year. Lastly, HM Ribanataake and his team also hosted a banquet dinner in Beijing with the Kiribati students studied in China, and encouraged them to do their best in their academic journey for their country, Kiribati.

This mission therefore delivered ten major outcomes through a single strategic visit; a strong and justified case for best use of public funds; and a mission that will bring lasting positive benefits to the people of Kiribati.

MFOR acknowledges its Chinese joint-venture shareholders and Board Directors; Marawa Company Chairman and his Board Directors; and Senior Officials from MFOR, MFAI, the Kiribati Embassy in China and the Chinese Embassy in Kiribati for making this visit to China highly productive and successful.