Off the wire
• Australian, Chinese visitors drive boost for New Zealand accommodation sector  • New Zealand breakthrough paves way to life-saving treatments for diabetics  • Cambodian garment manufacturers vote against raise of workers' minimum wage for 2016  • 1st LD: Myanmar's ruling party nominates 1,147 candidates nationwide to run in general election  • 2nd LD-Writethru-China Focus: Chinese yuan extends sharp fall, long-term depreciation unlikely  • Urgent: Myanmar's ruling party nominates 1,147 candidates nationwide to run in general election  • Indian stocks open flat  • Australia's wage growth at record low  • Vietnam to hold military parade to mark 70th anni. of National Day  • Vietnamese central bank adjusts VND/USD exchange rate amplitude following Chinese yuan devaluation  
You are here: 　 Home

Fiji congratulates Singapore on national day

Xinhua, August 12, 2015 Adjust font size:

Fijian Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has sent a congratulatory message to his Singaporean counterpart Lee Hsien Loong on the occasion of Singapore's national day, the Fijian government announced Wednesday.

"I have the honor to convey to you on behalf of the Fijian government and Fijian people our warmest congratulations and best wishes on the 50th anniversary of the founding of Singapore," Bainimarama said in the message, paying tribute to Singapore's success and economic growth, according to Fiji's Department of Information.

Singapore's success in bringing together different ethnic backgrounds and religions "to forge a strong sense of inclusiveness and national unity" is a great lesson for nations such as Fiji, the Fijian prime minister said.

Due to historical colonial reasons, nearly 40 percent of Fiji's population are of Indian descent.

"We have had our own challenges in this area but take inspiration from Singapore in embarking on a new direction ourselves as one nation and one people," said Bainimarama.

"It also sets the benchmark for nation building in terms of discipline, national resolve, zero tolerance for corruption and the pursuit of the highest standards of governance that Fiji also deeply admires and is emulating," he said.

"My government cherishes the close friendship we share with Singapore and will always strive to strengthen our long standing ties and the links between our peoples. We deeply appreciate Singapore's contribution towards capacity building in Fiji and on this occasion, again convey our warmest thanks to your government and the people of Singapore," Bainimarama told Lee. Endi