Fiji's PM sends praises as Chinese-Fijians celebrate 160th anniversary of arrival

Fijian Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama sent his praises and congratulations on Saturday as Chinese-Fijians celebrated the 160th anniversary of the arrival of their ancestors from China to the Pacific island country.

In the company of the locally-famed Fiji Police Band and its cheerful music, hundreds of people from the Chinese community, together with their indigenous friends and colleagues, marched through the center of the capital city of Suva, holding celebrative red banners and sprinkling candies to the crowds alongside the main road, greeted by "bula," which means "hello" in the Fijian language.

Bainimarama, chief guest of the event sitting near Chinese Ambassador Zhang Ping, commended Chinese-Fijians for their contributions to the island country.

"As Fijians, our cultural diversity is an important source of our strength. And our Chinese-Fijian community has made an important contribution to the strength of our diversity ever since the first Chinese immigrants arrived in Fiji 160 years ago," Bainimarama said.

The year 1855 marks the official arrival of the first Chinese in Fiji, although there is speculation among historians that Chinese may have been in the Pacific island country considerably earlier.

To date, it is conservatively estimated that there are some 10, 000 overseas Chinese living in Fiji, a country with a total population of around 840,000.

Since the arrival, the Chinese community has "enriched Fiji's culture and helped develop our economy," the Fijian prime minister said. "The relatively small size of our Fijian Chinese community belies the large impact they have had on our development. Through their resourcefulness and diligence, our Chinese community in Fiji has produced a succession of leaders in business, medicine, education, and a wide range of other sectors. They have played a substantial role in enhancing Fiji's international standing and contributing to our national life."

Chinese-Fijians, who "have brought with them the best of Chinese culture," have become "an integral part of our nation," Bainimarama underscored, adding that certain kinds of Chinese food such as fried noodles are "so much a part of our diet that we tend to regard them as Fijian dishes."

"Chinese festivals such as the Chinese New Year and Moon Festival are also celebrated. These, too, are arguably Fijian festivals as well. Chinese medicine has also been widely embraced, whether it is herbal medicine or acupuncture," said the Fijian prime minister, who, during the celebrations, helped launch a book named "The Chinese in Fiji 1855-2015," which contains stories of families who settled in Fiji and their struggles, experiences and achievements.

The book "is a celebration of 160 years of solid achievement," Bainimarama said.

"I am honored, on behalf of every Fijian, to extend my congratulations to your community on the 160th anniversary of your arrival in Fiji," said Bainimarama. Endi