A young Fijian girl who was born in Beijing while her father served as a diplomat is preparing to return to the country she still considers a second home after being selected for a prestigious international youth cultural exchange programme.
Eleven-year-old Naomi Nawaciono, a student of Yat Sen Primary School, has been chosen to participate in the 2026 China Soong Ching Ling Foundation "Junior Cultural Ambassadors" programme.
The China Soong Ching Ling Foundation "Junior Cultural Ambassadors" programme is an annual flagship global event designed to promote cultural exchange and mutual understanding among teenagers between the ages of 10-years to 18-years.
Recommended by the China Cultural Centre in Fiji, Naomi will join young participants from around the world in the cultural exchange initiative, which aims to promote friendship, cultural understanding and global connections among youth.
Naomi says she is honoured and excited to be part of the programme.
Born in Beijing while her father was serving as a diplomat in China, Naomi says the country holds a special place in her heart.
She says China is more than just the city where she was born and feels like a second home.
Naomi has also developed a strong appreciation for Chinese culture through her regular visits to the China Cultural Centre in Fiji, where she spends weekends learning about Chinese traditions, reading books, singing songs, playing musical instruments and meeting new friends.
Among the instruments she has learned, the violin remains her favourite.
She says music brings her happiness and has helped build her confidence.
Naomi has already represented Fiji in several cultural activities.
In 2023, she participated in the Chinese Bridge Competition and secured second place in the Oceania Division.
She also took part in performances marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Fiji and China at Albert Park in Suva in 2024.
Speaking about cultural exchange, Naomi says programmes such as the Junior Cultural Ambassadors initiative provide young people with an opportunity to learn about different cultures, respect diversity and share their own traditions with others.
She believes cultural understanding helps bring people together and creates lasting friendships across borders.
