On October 25, 2026, the Ambassador-Designate of the People’s Republic of China to Fiji, H.E. Mr. Chen Haiping arrived in Suva, Fiji to assume office and delivered a written speech at the airport. He was warmly greeted at the airport by representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade of Fiji, and welcomed by representatives of the Chinese enterprises operating in Fiji, overseas Chinese communities, and principle diplomats of the Chinese Embassy in Fiji. The full text of Ambassador-Designate Chen’s speech is as follows:

It is a great pleasure to come to Fiji, a beautiful land of the South Pacific, embraced by the azure blue ocean. I am deeply honoured to serve as the 15th Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the Republic of Fiji. I am fully aware of the responsibility it entails. On this occasion, I would like to extend my warm greetings and sincere appreciation to friends from all walks of life who have long cared about and supported the development of China-Fiji relations.

Facing the blue waters of the South Pacific, Fiji is world-renowned for its stunning scenery, such as grand beaches, coconut palms and vast landscape. Fiji has attracted the world with its speed and passion in rugby. Fijian peacekeepers have been committed to the mission of the United Nations in safeguarding global peace, and worked alongside people of diverse cultural backgrounds. They have made contribution to the lofty cause of world peace and security. Fiji has also spoken up for climate justice and ocean protection, showing how small island nations make a big difference in addressing climate change among other common global challenges.

China and Fiji are good friends, good partners and good brothers. More than 170 years ago, Chinese people crossed the ocean to settle in Fiji. Bringing with them the Chinese spirit of perseverance, resilience and self-reliance, they have been an integral part of the multicultural society of Fiji and made outstanding contribution to China-Fiji friendship. Fiji was the first Pacific island country to establish diplomatic relations with China. Over the past 51 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, our two countries have always upheld mutual respect and common development, deepened political mutual trust, and achieved fruitful results in practical cooperation across various fields. Our relationship has set a good example of countries, big and small, treating each other as equals and pursuing win-win cooperation, injecting positive momentum into peace, stability, prosperity and development in the region.

In recent years, high-level exchanges between our two countries have grown increasingly frequent. In 2024, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka paid a successful visit to China. President Xi Jinping met with him, jointly ushering China-Fiji relations into a new chapter of the comprehensive strategic partnership. China is now advancing the building of a strong country and great rejuvenation on all fronts through Chinese modernisation. The new opportunities arising from China’s development will open up broad space and create boundless possibilities for the further growth of China-Fiji relations and for the enduring friendship between our two peoples.

Looking ahead, China will continue to grow its relations with Fiji in the principle of “four fully respects”, strengthen the alignment of the Belt and Road Initiative with development strategies of Fiji and the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, and provide sincere support for Fiji in pursuing its development and revitalisation. We will work hand in hand to build a community with a shared future between China and Fiji, and together make the Pacific an ocean of peace, friendship and cooperation.

Upon my arrival today, I was warmly welcomed by our Fijian friends, whose heartfelt greetings and genuine smiles have filled me with even greater expectation and confidence for my work and life here in Fiji. I will devote myself wholeheartedly to my duties and work tirelessly to turn our shared vision into reality. Together with friends from all walks of life in Fiji and my colleagues at the Chinese Embassy, I will work to implement the important common understandings reached by the leaders of our two countries, write a new chapter in China-Fiji relations, and further drive forward our comprehensive strategic partnership.

Thank you.