Ni Sa Bula! Today, I am honored to attend the Handover Ceremony of the China-Aid Disaster Relief Equipment for Tropical Cyclone Josie.

A week ago, TC Josie brought heavy rain and strong wind gust to Fiji, especially the Western Division, causing casualties and losses to the local community. Our hearts are with the people affected. On behalf of the Chinese Embassy and in my own name, I would like to extend our deep condolences and sympathy to the victims and their families and to those affected during the flood. The resilience of the Fijian people before disaster impressed us most. We also noted that the Fijian government has taken immediate actions to take care of the local people and recover electricity, water supply and transport. Towns, schools and communities are being cleaned up. The Chinese Embassy has been keeping in close contact with the National Disaster Management Office and learnt that chainsaws and portable water pumps are much needed equipment for cleaning up the disaster affected areas. Therefore, we decided to donate to the Fijian government a batch of disaster relief equipment including chainsaws, portable water pumps, hoses and rescue ropes with a total value of 40,000 Fijian Dollars. We hope the equipment can help to speed up the recovering work, life in those areas can return to normal and children can return to school at an early date.

Dear friends,

China has always been a steadfast and reliable development partner of Fiji. This has been proved in the past and will continue to be proved true in the future. Whenever needed by the Fijian people, assistance from China will be there. Recently, the Chinese government set up a new International Development Cooperation Agency, aiming to better coordinate China's foreign assistance and to facilitate the international cooperation under "Belt and Road" initiative and to build a community with the shared future for mankind. I believe it will serve to promote mutual assistance and common development between China and Fiji, and push our bilateral relations to a new height.

Vinaka!