China ready to assist Fiji in agriculture, tourism, aquaculture, education and fight against drugs

The People’s Republic of China is ready to assist Fiji in agriculture, tourism, aquaculture, education and the fight against drugs.

While speaking in a conference in Suva on Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka's recent visit to China, Chinese Ambassador to Fiji Zhou Jian says they have talked about direct flights from China to Fiji which can even result in about 1 million tourists coming here from China.

He says talks are now underway with the Fiji government on the possibility of the direct flights.

Jian says they are ready to take action on investments like going into hotel and tourism development projects, and hotel developers from China are ready to come in to increase the number of beds for Fiji tourism.

He also highlighted that the blueprint has been set after Prime Minister Rabuka’s visit, and China believes in action rather than just talking.

Jian says they want to do more in getting Fijians to utilize their idle land and our seas to ensure people start earning income from the resources they have, which will eventually reduce the level of poverty.

The Chinese Ambassador says they are ready to import more products from Fiji which include noni or kura, kava, wood, fish and other agricultural produce.

Other areas being looked at include providing technical support for Fijians to get into commercial agriculture, aquaculture and strengthening grassroots development.

They are also looking at scholarships, vocational training, shipbuilding and modern port facilities. He highlighted China has seaports that are unmanned and everything is operated from the control rooms.

When questioned by fijivillage News, Jian says they are also ready to assist Fiji in the fight against drugs.

He says China has always continued the hard fight against drugs in their country, and has been assisting the Fiji Police through some targeted training.

Jian says they can do more in supporting the set up of rehabilitation centres, awareness campaigns, and ensure the young people acquire the skills and knowledge to get meaningful revenue opportunities with the resources available to get out of poverty.

Jian stresses that there is no hidden agenda by China, and they have had 49 years of strong bilateral relations with Fiji.

He says they genuinely want to build on the friendship, and assist Fiji in comprehensive strategic plans.