Fiji Embassy in Beijing Celebrates the 45th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations

The Fiji Embassy in Beijing in partnership with the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries [CPAFF] celebrated the 45th Anniversary of the establishment of formal diplomatic relations between the Republic of Fiji and the People’s Republic of China in Beijing on 5th November 2020. The celebration was hosted by the CPAFF, in recognition of the longstanding cooperation between the two nations.

At the bilateral meeting between Fiji’s Ambassador to China, Mr. Manasa Tagicakibau and Mr. Hu Sishe, Vice-President of the CPAFF, discussed areas of mutual co-operation to further enhance people-to-people connectivity through various platforms.

In his address at the celebrations, Mr. Sishe stated that relations between the two countries have gained momentum in the political mutual trust and multi-layered fruitful cooperation, producing concrete benefits across a plethora of sectors, to the peoples of both countries.

Mr. Sishe reflected on the assistance provided by CPAFF in May through mobilisation of resources with the Guangdong Municipal People’s Government to support the Pacific Island Countries in their fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

With the assistance of the Fijian Government and facilitation by Fiji China Friendship Association, a chartered aircraft arrived into Nadi on May 25th, carrying medical supplies and resounding best wishes from the Chinese people.

Mr. Sishe said that the Chinese Government and people, will, as always, attach great importance to and cherishes the friendship and partnership with Fiji. He further added that “we will always uphold President Xi Jinping’s principle of sincerity, real results, affinity and good faith in developing relations between China and Fiji, leveraging our complementary strengths and working for win-win cooperation and common development.”

Ambassador Tagicakibau in his reciprocal response stated that in the last 45 years, China has continued to be a true friend of Fiji. Whilst also noting that this year is an equally historical one with Fiji celebrating 50 years of Independence and China celebrating its 71st Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China.

He also reflected on the high-level political engagements over the years which, signifies milestones that have been mutually beneficial to both countries and these included vis-a-vis the State Visit to Fiji by H.E President Xi Jinping in 2014 and the reciprocal Official Visit by the Honorable Prime Minister, Hon. Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama in 2015, and subsequent visit of the latter to Beijing in 2017 to attend the inaugural Belt and Road Forum.

In acknowledging and thanking the support provided by the Chinese Government to Fiji’s epidemic response to COVID-19, Ambassador Tagicakibau also commended the unprecedented response of the Chinese Government towards the outbreak of the virus and further conveyed Fiji’s condolences to the Chinese lives lost due to this devastating virus.

Ambassador Tagicakibau reaffirmed Fiji’s commitment to the “One China Policy”. The Ambassador also highlighted the renewal of the Memorandum of Agreement on the bilateral relations raising the level of our engagement to a more “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership based on Mutual Trust and Common Development” as the foundation of bilateral relations between the two countries.

Ambassador Tagicakibau conveyed the sincere congratulations and best wishes of the Government of the Republic of Fiji and the Fijian People to the Chinese Government and its people on this auspicious occasion.

Fiji is the first country in the South Pacific to establish formal diplomatic relations with China on 5 November 1975.