China's Guangdong province strengthens pragmatic cooperation with Fiji

Hu Chunhua, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and secretary of the Guangdong Provincial CPC Committee, met with Fijian President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau and Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama on Monday, expressing interest in furthering pragmatic cooperation with the Pacific island country.

China and Fiji are good friends and good partners, and with Chinese President Xi Jinping's successful state visit to Fiji last year, ties between the two countries have entered into a new development stage, Hu said, adding that his visit is aimed at implementing the fruits of President Xi's visit, enhancing pragmatic cooperation and promoting friendship and cooperation with Fiji.

Guangdong and Fiji have been enjoying close ties in all sectors, and artistic and cultural performances and medical service provided by the Chinese province are widely welcomed by the Fijian people, Hu said.

Guangdong is willing to seize the important opportunity of building the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, and to enhance all- round friendly cooperation with Fiji, furthering Sino-Fiji ties, said Hu.

Fiji and China have maintained long-term friendly relations with abundant cooperation fruits, Nailatikau said.

As the Chinese province that has the closest ties with Fiji, Guangdong has made its contributions to Fiji's socio-economic development, the Fijian president said, adding that Fiji is willing to draw on China's experience in promoting the development of the island country.

Thanking China for its key contributions to Fiji's economic development and improvement of its people's livelihood, Bainimarama said his country is willing to grab the opportunity of the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Fiji and China in a bid to boost bilateral ties to a new stage.

The Fijian prime minister expressed his recognition and appreciation towards efforts made by Guangdong province to promote Fiji-China ties.

The CPC delegation, led by Hu, was paying a goodwill visit to Fiji at the invitation of the Fijian government. During the visit, the Guangdong provincial government held the Fiji-China (Guangdong) Economic and Trade Cooperation Conference, and carried out people- benefiting activities such as medical tours and artistic performances. In addition, a series of cooperative agreements were signed between the two sides.

Fiji established diplomatic relations with China on Nov. 5, 1975, the first among Pacific island countries to do so. Endi