Local
Monday, February 02, 2009

Fitial assures Chinese association he will 'fight' for their NMI stay

By Moneth Deposa
Reporter

Gov. Benigno R Fitial assured the Chinese community on island that his administration will continue the “fight” for their stay in the Commonwealth.

Over a hundred Chinese nationals gathered at Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan Saturday night for their final hooray to the Chinese New Year.

Fitial, one of the event's guest speakers, had spoken before the crowd about the challenges faced by the CNMI in this Year of the Ox.

Press Secretary Charles Reyes Jr. yesterday reiterated the position of the governor on the exclusion of the Chinese and Russian markets to the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver program which is slated to be enforced on June 1.

“The governor will not give up and assured Chinese nationals that he will continue to address that,” Reyes said, adding that the administration is working closely with federal policy lawmakers on how changes can be effected on the regulation.

The press secretary described the federalization law the “perfect financial storm” for the CNMI.

He said what the governor wants is for the federal government to continue to look for solutions that will protect both the national security as well as the islands' economic security.

“China is a very significant market for us.especially on Tinian,” Reyes said, alluding to the mostly Chinese clientele of the casino industry on island.

Fitial, along with local lawmakers, is pushing for at least delay on the implementation of the federalization law to give NMI ample time to build the necessary infrastructure.

“For the governor, it's worth giving all our efforts for these markets,” he said.

During the Jan. 26 celebration of Chinese New Year, Chinese Association of Saipan chairwoman Rose Chan said they were saddened by the federal government's decision.

“We will miss Saipan,” she told Saipan Tribune, admitting that the arrivals from China will see a significant decline once federalization takes into effect.

She believes that the “new system” may take away the interest of many Chinese who want to visit the island.

“But we're still hoping for the best for the CNMI,” she said.