Honorable Prime Minister Josaia V. Bainimarama,

Honorable Chief Justice Anthony Gates,

Honorable Speaker Dr. Jiko Luveni

Honorable Ministers and Permanent Secretaries,

Excellencies, members of the diplomatic corps,

Dear guests and friends,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good evening! Bula Vinaka! Today is a special day both for China and Fiji.

It’s a great pleasure to have you all with us to celebrate the 69th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, in the New Suva Civic Center, which has just been re-developed by Guangdong Province of China. On behalf of the Chinese Embassy in Fiji, I would like to extend to the Honorable Prime Minister, and dear guests a warm welcome and best wishes.

In the past 69 years, the Chinese nation as represented by its hundreds of millions of heroic sons and daughters, under the guidance of the Communist Party of China, forged ahead with staunch resolve, struggled hard, carried out reforms and innovations, and managed to fulfill the historic progress of moving from standing up to its full height, through getting affluent, to getting strong. China has become one of the economies with the greatest development, the greatest potential and the greatest resilience, contributing around 30 percent to global economic growth.

In the past 69 years, China has been committed to the promotion of progress of humanity through peaceful coexistence and equal cooperation with countries across the world. The concepts of “building a community with a shared future for mankind” and “the Belt and Road Initiative”, put forward by President Xi Jinping reflect the development trends of the world and the will of world people. Up to now, around 130 countries and international organizations have signed cooperation agreements with China regarding “the Belt and Road Initiative”. The cumulative volume of trade in goods between China and BRI countries has exceeded US$ 5 trillion. China’s direct investment in BRI countries has exceeded US$ 70 billion. Chinese enterprises have established more than 80 economic and trade cooperation zones, creating around 250 thousand jobs. The BRI is proposed by China, but its opportunities and outcomes are going to benefit the world. It belongs to the world.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of China’s Reform and Opening-up program. Over the past 40 years, we have forged ahead successfully along a path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, which has brought fundamental changes to China. Over the past 40 years, more than 700 million of the Chinese population have been lifted out of absolute poverty, which accounts for over 70% of the global total in the same period. A basic medical insurance system has been set up to cover the 1.35 billion Chinese people, and a social pension network accessible to over 900 million people is now fully instituted, all as part of China’s contribution to human development and progress. Starting from scratch, China has built some 25,000 kilometers of high-speed railway. This accounts for two thirds of the global total and helps elevate global infrastructure construction.

China is the largest developing country in the world. To strengthen cooperation and solidarity with other developing countries has been and will continue to be the staunch strategic priority for China’s diplomacy. China will continue to promote its strategic partnership of mutual respect and common development with Pacific island countries including Fiji. China has no geopolitical calculations, seeks no exclusionary blocs and is not strong-arming anybody to do deals on our terms. China’s normal relations with Fiji will have no negative impact on Fiji’s relations with other countries. It has been China’s constant policy to bring peace to the world, contribute to global development and maintain world order. The First China International Import Expo will open on November 5th this year in Shanghai. Up to now, around 3,000 businesses from 140 countries and territories, including Fiji, have confirmed their participation in the Expo. It is estimated that more than 150 thousand overseas as well as Chinese purchasers will meet in Shanghai.

Ladies, gentlemen, and friends,

43 years of China-Fiji relations have witnessed fruitful achievements of bilateral cooperation in various fields. High-level exchanges provide significant guidance for bilateral relations. Political mutual trust has been strengthened. In the forthcoming November, President Xi will attend the APEC summit in Papua New Guinea and is expected to meet with Honorable Prime Minister, which will be an important opportunity for the two leaders to draw the blueprint for China-Fiji cooperation.

China has become Fiji’s largest source of investment, fourth largest trade partner, and fourth largest source of tourists. The two countries have signed a series of cooperation agreements in areas such as agriculture, fishery, health and medical services, education, military, law enforcement, sports and local governments. China is willing, under the framework of BRI, to synergize its development with Fiji’s development strategy and provide support in Fiji’s fulfillment of its “5-year and 20-year National Development Plan”.

China and Fiji have vast common interests and face some common challenges. China highly appreciates and firmly supports Fiji and the Honorable Prime Minister’s endeavors and leadership in fighting against climate change, appreciates Fiji’s remarkable achievements in fostering inclusive and sustainable development, commends Fiji’s outstanding contributions to UN peacekeeping operations over the past 40 years, and supports Fiji’s bid for membership of UN Human Rights Council. China will continue, under the framework of South-South Cooperation and within our capacity, to provide support to Fiji, contribute to Fiji’s sustainable development and peacekeeping capabilities. Looking to the future, I have full confidence in the relations between our two countries.

Finally, I wish to extend my sincere thanks to friends present for your care and longstanding support for China-Fiji relations. I am sure that under the wise guidance of the leaders of our two countries, and with our concerted efforts, the strategic partnership between China and Fiji will be brought to a new level.

I wish our two countries and peoples prosperity and happiness!

I wish the general election smooth and successful!

I wish everyone present good health!

Thank you! Vinaka Vakelevu!