On the 40th anniversary of China and Fiji’s Diplomatic ties, I extend my sincere congratulations and best wishes to theChinese Peoples Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, China Oceania Friendship Association, Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Suva and the whole of the Chinese community in Fiji.

I am pleased and honored to serve as the president ofFiji China Friendship Association (FCFA),which was officially launched in February 2012 to strengthen bilateral exchanges between Fiji and China in the areas of poverty reduction, culture, sports and women’s involvement in all levels of trade and investment collaboration.

The Association aims to foster mutual comprehension and broaden friendly relations between China and Fiji. A significant feature of our relationship is that no matter how the international and domestic situations have changed, Fijian-Chinesebilateral relations have continued to develop healthily, smoothly and comprehensively.

Through the Fiji China Friendship Association, we will continue to nurture the friendly relations between our two peoples and my Ministry stands ready to work with the Association, the Chinese Embassy and all other stakeholders to sustain the everlasting friendship between our two countries.

The Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, and those it seeks to serve, have also benefited from this close relationship. Fiji- China partnership has created new platforms for capacity building and increased economic empowerment opportunities for women and benefits of which is received by the families and communities at large.

We thank the People’s Republic of China for its commitment and unprecedented support in building a new Fiji.

On this occasion, I pledge the continued support of the Fijian Government and that of the Fiji China Friendship Association to build an active and lasting friendship based on mutual understanding and respect between the people of Fiji and the people of China.

China has continued to hold a special place in the hearts of the Fijian people. I am proud to say that this friendship is a great lesson to the world on way forward in working together to create dynamic and resilient economies.

Vinaka, and again congratulations.