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Bilateral Relations Between China and Fiji
Posted: September-6-2012Adjust font size:

The year 2010 marked the 35th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Fiji Islands. Friendship and cooperation between the two countries continued to deepen during the year.

There were frequent high-level exchanges between the two countries. In December, State Councilor Liu Yandong made a stopover in Fiji during her visit to Latin America. She attended the welcoming dinner hosted by Prime Minister Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama and exchanged views with him on bilateral relations. Other senior Chinese officials who visited Fiji included: Special Envoy for the China-Pacific Islands Forum Dialogue Du Qiwen (in February); Vice President of the All-China Women's Federation Meng Xiaosi (in April); Minister of the General Administration of Sport Liu Peng (in May); Vice Chairman of the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese Dong Zhongyuan (in May); Vice Governor of Zhejiang Province Jin Deshui (In May); Vice Governor of Guizhou Province Meng Qiliang (in May); Vice Chairman of the Standing Committing of the People's Congress of Heilongjiang Province Wang Donghua (in June); Vice President of the Supreme People's Court Xi Xiaoming (in June); Vice Chairperson and Member of the Secretariat of the All-China Federation of Trade Unions Chen Shurong (in August); and Governor of Zhejiang Province Lv Zushan (in November). From late September to early October, Fijian President Epeli Nailatikau came to China for the China (Ningxia) International Investment and Trade Fair and the National Pavilion Day of China at the Shanghai World Expo, and visited Beijing afterwards. From late July to early August, Fijian Prime Minister Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama attended the activities of the National Pavilion Day of Fiji on 6 August during the Shanghai World Expo and visited Shanghai, Suzhou, Ningbo and Yiwu. Fijian Minister for Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Civil Aviation Ratu Inoke Kubuabola and Minister for Local Government, Urban Development, Housing and Environment Samuela Saumatua visited China in October and August respectively.

In November, Premier Wen Jiabao and Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi exchanged congratulatory messages with Fijian Prime Minister Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama and Foreign Minister Ratu Inoke Kubuabola to celebrate the 35th anniversary of China-Fiji diplomatic relations.

Bilateral economic cooperation as well as cultural and people-to-people exchanges continued to expand. Two-way trade kept growing, and the projects built with Chinese assistance such as the multi-functional vessel, the Navua Hospital and mushroom production were steadily advanced. In October, the city of Hangzhou of Zhejiang Province and Nadi of Fiji forged a sister-city relationship. The performance of the artist group "Embrace China" organized by the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese was well received in Fiji. Coaches of Taiji (shadow boxing) sent by China started a frenzy for the sport in Fiji. The number of Chinese tourists visiting Fiji grew by a large margin. In September, Xinhua News Agency set up an office in Suva, the capital city, and sent resident journalists there. This is the first office of the Xinhua News Agency in the Pacific islands. In December, Hanban (the Office of the Chinese Language Council International) and the South Pacific University (SPU) reached an agreement on establishing the first Confucius institute in the Pacific islands at the headquarters of the SPU in Suva. China and Fiji also conducted effective cooperation in agriculture, fire-fighting, women's affairs and other fields.

In March, Fiji was hit by Hurricane Tomas. Foreign Minister Yang sent a message of condolences to Fijian Foreign Minister Kubuabola. The Red Cross Society of China provided US$50,000 of an emergency humanitarian assistance to Fiji. Fijian Prime Minister Bainimarama sent a message of condolences to Premier Wen following the earthquake in Yushu, Qinghai in April,.( Last Update: 2011/08/22)

Source: fmprc.gov.cnEditor: Shen
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