Interview: Chinese assistance helps change life of Fijian construction worker

by Xinhua Writer Zhang Yongxing

SUVA, Feb. 6 (Xinhua) -- "China's assistance has helped us grow our economy and it has also helped me change my fate," a Fijian construction worker said.

Sitting in an office of the China Railway 14th Construction Bureau Co. Ltd. in Suva, capital of Fiji, Enisi Waqatabilai, 25, told Xinhua that China has done a great job by providing a lot of assistance for the South Pacific Island state with a population of more than 880,000.

"Our two countries are good friends. Fijians and Chinese are like brothers and sisters. China has made great achievements over the past years, but what's more important is China is always willing to help developing countries like Fiji," Enisi said.

"My fate has changed after I began to work for China Railway 14th Construction Bureau Co. Ltd. 18 months ago. Now I am proud to say that I am a skilled worker. I have learned a lot from my Chinese colleagues."

Enisi, a father of two children, only finished his secondary school education and worked for a fishing vessel for years. His fate is indeed different after starting to work for the Chinese company, which built the Stinson Parade bridge and the Vatuwaqa bridge, both are grand aid projects funded by China with a total value of 30 million Fijian dollars (about 14.8 million U.S. dollars).

Being lucky as one of the workers, Enisi thinks it is an honor for him to attend the inauguration ceremony of the two bridges with Fijian Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and China's Charge D'Affaires Gu Yu being the chief guests. He not only learned skills of steel bar processing and welding, but also got a promotion to be a team leader.

"I can not forget the days I worked for the Chinese company. I knew nothing about the construction machines like fork lift, but now I can drive it easily. I did not know how to do steel bendings, but now I can do it very well," he said gently and proudly. "My Chinese colleagues, who worked very hard, helped me a lot physically and mentally. They taught me how to use building machines and not to spend money freely because I have a family of my wife and two lovely children."

Being smart, diligent and gifted for languages, Enisi can communicate with his Chinese colleagues in Chinese. Sometimes he actually worked as a translator and coordinator because he is happy to help others and knows several languages such as Fijian, English and Chinese.

"I love my Chinese colleagues. We have a good relationship like brothers and sisters as we work together, help each other and learn from each other," the tall young man said with a big smile.

He voiced his satisfaction with his work and salary in the Chinese company during the construction of the two bridges.

"I was lucky to get more than 1,000 Fijian dollars (about 495 U.S. dollars) per month. And the company also gave me extra money during our festivals. They also visited our house and gave us some living supplies when we faced difficult times," he said.

Like Fijian Prime Minister Bainimarama, who has praised China for being a steadfast partner in the development of Fiji, Enisi believes that China has been helping Fiji for a better future by providing grants and loans. Chinese companies like China Railway 14th Construction Bureau Co. Ltd. have been doing projects of building high-quality roads and bridges across the country.

"The two bridges I joined construction are built to internationally accepted standards. They will surely ease the traffic pressure in Suva, bringing tangible benefits to our people and promoting our economic and social development," he said.

He also said that if possible, he will visit China with his family in the future.

"I would like to use this chance to say Vinaka Vakalevu (many thanks) and Xie Xie to China and the Chinese company for what they have done for our country and myself," he said sincerely.

China and Fiji are not only good friends through thick and thin, but also good partners of win-win cooperation. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries in 1975, their bilateral relationship has seen rapid and steady development with fruitful results in various fields.

The two countries have established strategic partnership featuring mutual respect and common development. China has so far assisted Fiji with 17 aid projects, 11 technical aid projects, 4 concessional loan projects, 27 material assistance projects and many other forms of assistance. China now is Fiji's third largest trading partner, biggest source of foreign direct investment and the fastest growing market for Fiji's tourism.

It is believed that China's Belt and Road Initiative has provided a new platform for the two countries to enhance bilateral cooperation. A closer cooperation under the Belt and Road framework will enable them to tap the great potentials to benefit the economic development and improvement of people's livelihood. Enditem