Remarks by H.E. Ambassador Huang Yong At the Hand-Over Ceremony of Chinese Police Aid to Fiji

（Fiji Police Support Response Unit, 10th September 2014）

Distinguished Mr. Joketani Cokanasiga, Minister for Defence, National Security and Immigration,

Distinguished Mr. Bernardus Groenewald, Commissioner of Police,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good morning.

It is my great pleasure to attend the hand-over ceremony of Chinese police aid to Fiji. I would like to express my congratulations once more to Mr. Groenewald on his appointment as Commissioner of Police. I feel very pleasant to witness the new police cooperation between China and Fiji today with Mr. Minister and Mr. Commissioner.

As per the request of Fiji Police Force, Ministry of Public Security of China provided the police aid this year specially for the sake of Fiji elections. The Police aid, with a total value of 3 million RMB, includes vehicles, communication, monitor and anti-riot equipment. It is the largest police aid from China to Fiji ever. The whole procedure, from initiation, negotiation, formalities, transportation, customs clearance to the hand-over today, takes almost one year, which reflects the sincere friendship and great support of Ministry of Public Security of China to Fiji Police Force. I hope the aid could help Fiji Police Force to overcome difficulties of insufficient funds, to change the old police equipment, to improve the stability maintainance and anti-riot ability of Fijian police, to ensure the safety and order during elections and to play a positive role in guaranteeing the long-term security and stability of Fijian society. I would like to present my sincere wishes for a smooth and successful election in Fiji!

There’s no doubt that the aid stands for the new achievement of police cooperation between China and Fiji, which is based on the continuous efforts of both sides in the past years. Great progress of police cooperation and communication has been made since the signing of MOU between China and Fiji on Police Cooperation in 2011. The past years have witnessed remarkable achievement in the aspects of aid provision, police training, police secondment and joint arrest of fugitives. Police force of China and Fiji communication with and learn from each other, which brings about the increasingly close relationship between both sides and deepens further cooperation in different areas. Police cooperation is not only the important growth point but also one of the prominent highlight of bilateral relationship between China and Fiji. Police cooperation represents the high level of political mutual trust and bilateral relation, and in turn contributes to promote political mutual trust and bilateral relation.

Police cooperation between China and Fiji reflects the continuously deep progress of bilateral relationship. The all-round practical cooperation has been expanded since the establishment of important cooperative partnership between the two countries. Communication and cooperation in politics, economy, military, police, culture, education and people contact is becoming increasingly close. The China-Fiji relationship is in the best period currently. Chinese President Xi Jinping stated during his meeting with Honorable President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau recently that Fiji is the sincere friend and important partner of China. China-Fiji relationship development serves the fundamental interests of the two peoples and benefits the peace, stability and development of South Pacific Region. China has always been treating Fiji as the good partner, good friend and good brother in South Pacific region. No matter how the international and regional situation changes, China will be devoted as always to strengthen bilateral relationship, to deepen comprehensive practical cooperation and to bring more benefit to the two peoples.

The traditional Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival, which is a symbol of reunion, harmony, friendship and happiness, has just passed. Before the end of my speech, I would like to present my best wishes to all Fijian friends here and may China-Fiji friendship last forever!

Thank you! Vinaka Vakalevu.