Fijians Converge at Yanqing District, China, to Celebrate Fiji’s 49th Independence Anniversary
Fijians from all over China converged at Yanqing District in Beijing over the weekend to celebrate Fiji’s 49th year of independence.
The event also celebrated Fiji’s National Pavilion Day at this year’s Beijing International Horticulture Expo and gave Fiji’s Ambassador to China Manasa Tagicakibau, the opportunity to convey Fiji’s best wishes to the People’s Republic of China on the occasion of its 70th anniversary.
Mr Tagicakibau said the event celebrated the sacrifices that Fijian leaders had made to ensure that all Fijians were afforded basic necessities.
From poverty alleviation to protection from natural disasters, he said Fijians have a better life and a brighter future because of its’ leaders.
He said during the past decade Fiji had become a success story in the Pacific because of its unprecedented economic growth since 2006.
“Our economy is much stronger and resilient to global issues and set to withstand global shocks due to productive measures taken by the Government of the day with the assistance of our true friends like China among others,” Mr Tagicakibau said.
“Fiji’s relationship with China began in 1975, only five years after our independence as Fiji became the first South Pacific country to have diplomatic ties with the Peoples Republic of China.”
He stated that Fiji had known China to be a true friend through the many assistance provided by the Chinese government during Fiji’s period of struggle.
“Today Fiji is one of the fastest growing economy in the South Pacific and a regional hub for links from as far as Europe and Asia to the South Pacific either by air or sea.”
He reiterated that diplomatic relations between the two countries had grown from strength to strength over the past 44 years through engagements in trade, socio-economic sectors, culture and politics.
Adding that tourists from China mainland had contributed to the success of Fiji’s tourism sector. “Visitors from China to Fiji have contributed to an unprecedented growth of our tourism sector that is directly contributing to the employment of many Fijian, and to the Fiji economy and we anticipate our bilateral relations and friendship to grow from strength to strength into the future, resonating President Xi Jinping’s vision of a shared prosperity for mankind.” Mr Tagicakibau also highlighted Fiji’s participation at the horticulture expo saying it was testimony of the existing strong bilateral relations between China and Fiji.
“Fiji has learned a lot from this Horticulture experience and a takeaway is; to be able to live better, one must learn to respect nature, to nurture and take extreme care of the environment and the ecosystem in order to sustain a healthy and happy livelihood. This will also secure the future for our generations to come.”
Three local florists from Fiji also participated at the expo and shared their views with the Fiji Sun.
Uci Rayasidamu, 48, from Tailevu said attending the expo has opened her eyes to the countless possibilities that flower arrangement could bring.
She also learned how Chinese people made use of the abundant resources they had to beautify the environment.
Sherry Singh of Lautoka said she was in awe of the breathtaking flower arrangements that were on display at the expo