Fiji's Minister of Education Filipe Bole, who was once acting Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, has said: "China has been a true and steadfast friend of Fiji. We have seen and experienced through the years the significant role China has played in our country's national development."
Filimoni Kau, Permanent Secretary of Fiji's Lands and Mineral Resources Ministry, also held that China's development assistance over the years was valuable in the acceleration of development in various sectors and served to enlarge Fiji's national capacity.
In the area of mining, Fiji benefitted from China in 2011. The first load of bauxite minerals from the new Nawailevu site will be ready for shipment to China by January or February next year, according to the official.
Earlier in December, Fiji hosted a high level delegation from China which specialized in leadership training. Fiji's Foreign Affairs Minister Ratu Inoke Kubuabola extended government's appreciation to hosting a privileged delegation.
Kubuabola said that the visit of the Chinese delegation was timely as it would help the country materialize the opportunities available for Senior Public Servants to train and be exposed to the "Can Do" attitude which has largely contributed to the rapid pace of economic development in China.
According to the Fijian government, since the start of its administration in 2006, the level of official Chinese development assistance to Fiji has increased considerably, which "have been in the form of direct grant projects, which have numbered more than a dozen to date".
China has always demonstrated its close and friendly ties with Fiji in real and practical terms, according to the Fiji government.
"We also have of course taken the opportunity to access Chinese government concessional loans through the Export-Import Bank of China to upgrade our national infrastructure," Bainimarama said, highlighting that his government had taken out concessional loans that totaled 285 million Fiji dollars to upgrade major road links, build new public housing projects and enhance information technology capabilities.
Chinese Ambassador to Fiji Huang Yong echoed Bainimarama, saying "the year 2011 has witnessed the comprehensive development and enhancement of the bilateral relations between Fiji and China."
While commending the Fijian government and its people for all the progress they have achieved in economic growth, land reform, tourism revitilization and sugar industry restructure among others, he reiterated the Chinese government's commitment to providing contribution to "building a better Fiji"by enhancing bilateral cooperation and providing assistance within our capacity.
The bilateral relations between the two countries had never been so close, says the ambassador, adding "I am satisfied to see that China and Fiji have developed steady and close economic trade co-operation as well."
Fiji's Minister of Education Filipe Bole, who was once acting Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, has said: "China has been a true and steadfast friend of Fiji. We have seen and experienced through the years the significant role China has played in our country's national development."
Filimoni Kau, Permanent Secretary of Fiji's Lands and Mineral Resources Ministry, also held that China's development assistance over the years was valuable in the acceleration of development in various sectors and served to enlarge Fiji's national capacity.
In the area of mining, Fiji benefitted from China in 2011. The first load of bauxite minerals from the new Nawailevu site will be ready for shipment to China by January or February next year, according to the official.
Earlier in December, Fiji hosted a high level delegation from China which specialized in leadership training. Fiji's Foreign Affairs Minister Ratu Inoke Kubuabola extended government's appreciation to hosting a privileged delegation.
Kubuabola said that the visit of the Chinese delegation was timely as it would help the country materialize the opportunities available for Senior Public Servants to train and be exposed to the "Can Do" attitude which has largely contributed to the rapid pace of economic development in China.