The Republic of Vanuatu marked a significant milestone in its international outreach efforts with the successful hosting of its 2025 National (Financial) Resources Promotion Conference in Hong Kong.
Organised by the Embassy of Vanuatu in China, the event brought together Chinese and Hong Kong officials, business leaders, listed companies, media, and stakeholders from across the region, highlighting Vanuatu’s ambitions to expand economic ties—particularly in finance and tourism.
The afternoon event opened to the sound of traditional Melanesian music, setting the tone for a vibrant showcase of Vanuatu’s natural charm and emerging investment landscape.
Among the honoured guests was Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Economic Management of Vanuatu, Johnny Koanapo Rasou, who spoke passionately about Vanuatu’s aspirations.
“We welcome Chinese guests to experience the hospitality of the Vanuatu people firsthand,” he said, extending an open invitation for deeper collaboration. “We hope to strengthen cooperation in various industries and fields, including finance, tourism, and culture, with China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.”
Also in attendance was Nguk Yang Dennis Nai, ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of Vanuatu to the People’s Republic of China, who underlined the long-term opportunities for partnership. “We warmly welcome individuals from all sectors in China to explore more cooperation opportunities with Vanuatu,” he said.
The event blended cultural richness with economic ambition. In a visually engaging segment led by a travel influencer invited by the Vanuatu National Tourism Office, guests were taken on a virtual tour through Vanuatu’s signature attractions—from its volcanic landscapes and hidden blue holes to the enduring traditions of its village communities.
Osborne Taseru, first secretary at the Vanuatu Embassy in China, gave a detailed presentation on the country’s eco-tourism routes and seafood export advantages. “Vanuatu has enormous potential not just as a natural paradise but as a rising player in sustainable economic development,” he noted.
A central focus of the event was Vanuatu’s evolving financial sector. Cliff Chen, senior advisor to the Deputy Prime Minister, introduced key legislative frameworks such as the Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) Act, highlighting the nation’s openness to digital asset projects and fintech partnerships.
“We are committed to providing a transparent and forward-looking financial environment that supports innovation while ensuring regulatory clarity,” Chen said.
The momentum continued with a series of strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signings involving South Pacific Digital Holdings (SPDH).
MOUs were signed with two Hong Kong-listed firms—Crypto Flow Technology Limited and Unisound AI Technology Limited—as well as with Japanese digital asset exchange BitTrade and Australian fintech company Tridens Investment. The agreements were witnessed by Ambassador Nai and signify a bold step forward in Vanuatu’s fintech diplomacy.
Earlier in the day, Deputy Prime Minister Koanapo held high-level talks with Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau, and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority.
Reflecting on those engagements, he expressed optimism: “I commend the progress made in both traditional and digital finance between our sides. We intend to deepen regulatory and sectoral cooperation through a series of MOUs, working together to advance financial development.”
As the event drew to a close amid applause and positive energy, organisers were quick to remind attendees that this was not a conclusion but the beginning of stronger, mutually beneficial ties.
“We are confident that in the days ahead, with its unique charm and immense potential, Vanuatu will attract more international partners to invest and engage in business,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.
The conference underscored Vanuatu’s proactive strategy in promoting itself as a serious economic partner—one that combines rich cultural heritage with modern economic aspirations in the heart of the South Pacific.
