Remarks by H.E. Ambassador Huang Yong

At the Reception in Celebration of the 2014 Chinese New Year

(23^rd January 2014 Embassy Chancery)

Your Excellency President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau and Madame First Lady Adi Koila Nailatikau,

Honorable Ministers and Permanent Secretaries,

Excellencies and Colleagues from the Diplomatic Corps,

Chinese Communities,

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

On this happy occasion of the coming Chinese Lunar New Year, the year of the Horse, on behalf of the Chinese Embassy in Fiji and in my own name, I would like to extend our warmest New Year greetings to you, and our heartfelt gratitude to all friends who have supported the work of the Chinese Embassy in the past year:

XIN CHUN KUAILE(新春快乐)!Happy Chinese New Year!

In the Chinese idiom and cultural totem, Horse represents valor, hardworking, strength and success. The year 2014 is an important year for both China and Fiji in terms of domestic agenda. The Chinese government has recently unveiled an overall plan on comprehensively deepening reform, a grand blueprint for future development with a view of achieving the Chinese Dream; the year 2014 is the starting year for the endeavor. In 2014, Fiji will have its first election in a decade under the new Constitution; the people of Fiji will define their own destiny through their solemn rights. As the year of Horse is galloping in, let's wish the democratic process in Fiji smooth and successful, and the national development of China striking new heights in 2014.

Ladies, Gentlemen and Friends,

The Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is a time for people to go home, reunite with family; it is a time of sharing and aspiring; it is a time of cementing bond. All in all, it is a tradition of people to people contact.

Although China and Fiji are separated by vast oceans, the people to people exchanges and friendship are never hindered by geography. Since their arrival in Fiji more than 200 years ago, the Chinese immigrants have maintained a peaceful co-existence with various local ethnic groups; many of them regarded Fiji as their adopted homeland and became Chinese-Fijians. Since then, the Chinese community has made great contributions to the development of Fiji.

While the local Chinese were accepted into the society, the Chinese culture was more and more appreciated by the Fijians. Nowadays, Chinese language, arts and food are no stranger to the people of Fiji.

In celebrating this Spring Festival together with the people of Fiji, we are going to host a series of activities recently. As an outcome of the visit by Mr. Cai Wu, Chinese Cultural Minister last August, the "Tang Dynasty" Music Band, which is a popular Chinese rock band, will perform for three consecutive days at the Suva Civic Centre late February. A picture show named "China Red" will also be staged at the China Club late January. Moreover, the Chinese community in the capital area will organize various celebrations and events, such as New Year Party, Spring Festival tradition experience and so on. You are most welcome to join us in these activities.

Lastly, I wish you all a prosperous and successful year in the year of the Horse!

谢谢!Thank you! Vinaka vakalevu!