A model of equal treatment and friendly cooperation between large and small countries (Ambassador's essay to promote the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind)

Fiji is located in the center of the southwest Pacific, with superior resource endowment and great development potential. For more than a year since I served as the Chinese ambassador to Fiji, I have visited the main islands of Fiji, had in-depth conversations with people from all walks of life in Fiji in urban and rural areas, and felt their desire for national development and a happy life. I told them that China is willing to be a reliable friend of Fiji and join hands with Fiji to achieve prosperity and revitalization under the guidance of the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind.

Fiji was the first Pacific island country to establish diplomatic relations with New China. China regards Fiji as a good friend and partner and supports Fiji in choosing its own development path and realizing national development and revitalization. Fiji actively supports the three global initiatives proposed by China, joins the "Friends Group of Global Development Initiatives", and is also an important partner in the joint construction of the "Belt and Road. China-Fiji relations have become a model of equal treatment and friendly cooperation between large and small countries.

China and Fiji are committed to maintaining peace and security. China and Fiji are both developing countries, and the two countries firmly support each other on issues involving each other's core interests and major concerns. China supports Fiji in safeguarding national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity. Fiji adheres to the one-China principle and has built a solid foundation for China-Fiji friendship. China adheres to the path of peaceful development, and the Fijian people love peace. Both countries are important contributors to international peacekeeping operations. Both oppose hegemonism, jointly practice true multilateralism, and play an active role in maintaining regional and world peace and stability.

China and Fiji are committed to common development and prosperity. China and Fiji have complementary advantages and are natural partners. Since the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding on jointly building the "Belt and Road" cooperation in 2018, China-Fiji economic and trade cooperation has entered the fast lane. In 2023, the bilateral trade volume between China and Fiji reached 0.526 billion billion U.S. dollars. China has become Fiji's fifth largest trading country. More and more specialty products such as Fiji mineral water, beer, skin care products, and noni tea are on the shelves of Chinese supermarkets. The Sino-Fiji Friendship Bridge, Suva Multifunctional Gymnasium and Navwa Hospital have become bright business cards for the two sides to jointly build "the belt and road initiative" with high quality. China's aid to Fiji's fungus grass technology project and the agricultural development technology rice project have contributed to the improvement of local people's livelihood, the increase of employment and income, and the response to climate change. The LED street lamps assisted by China illuminate the cities and villages of Fiji. Open-air theaters and volleyball courts allow more Fijian youths to display their talents and exercise. The feasibility study of the road upgrade project of Vanua Island (North Island) assisted by China has been completed. The two countries have continued to exchange economic and trade visits and groups, and cooperation in various fields is in full swing.

China and Fiji are committed to strengthening mutual learning among civilizations. China and Fiji are both multi-ethnic countries and are well aware of the importance of respecting the diversity of civilizations and strengthening exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations. In recent years, the visa exemption policy of the two countries has greatly facilitated personnel exchanges between the two sides. More and more Chinese tourists come to Fiji for sightseeing, and many Fijian students go to China for further study through Chinese government scholarships. The "Bright Line" medical team "sent doctors to the island" to help local patients with eye diseases see the light again. Chinese local provincial and municipal art troupes "send the play to the sea" and perform on the same stage with Fijian artists, bringing an audio-visual feast to the Fijian people. More and more Fijians, including Fijian government officials, chiefs, business representatives, media professionals and overseas students, are visiting China. They sincerely admire the world-renowned achievements of Chinese-style modernization and will bring new development opportunities to Fiji.

next year will be the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between china and fiji. China is willing to work with Fiji to further consolidate political mutual trust, expand practical cooperation, deepen people-to-people and cultural exchanges, promote the continuous development of China-Fiji comprehensive strategic partnership, and contribute to building a closer community with a shared future for China and Pacific island countries.

(Author Zhou Jian is Chinese Ambassador to Fiji)

[Source: People's Daily]]