Fijian PM congratulates China on 64th founding anniversary

Fijian Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has sent a congratulatory message on the occasion of the 64th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, expressing confidence that friendly relations between Fiji and China will continue to reach new heights, the Fijian government said Tuesday. According to Fiji's Ministry of Information, Bainimarama told Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in the congratulatory message that "I am confident that the friendly relations between our two great countries will continue to prosper and elevate into greater heights in the coming years." "I wish your excellency good health, your great country and its people prosperity and happiness," Bainimarama said, assuring Li Fiji's commitment to grow relations between the two nations. The Chinese Embassy in Fiji hosted a reception Monday evening which was attended by Fijian President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau and the first lady, Adi Koila Nailatikau as well as cabinet ministers. Huang Yong, China's ambassador to Fiji, said China considers Fiji as an equal partner and equal member of the world community. "The China-Fiji relationship embodies the very essence of China 's major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics," Huang said. China-Fiji relations have reached new heights and continue to provide tangible benefits to the two peoples, Huang said, adding that one such case was the bilateral trade between the two nations which in the first half of 2013 reached 125 million U.S. dollars, an increase by 26.5 percent when compared to last year. "We support the government and people of Fiji in choosing their own development path in line with their own national conditions," said Huang. Fiji established diplomatic ties with the People's Republic of China on Nov. 5, 1975, becoming the first South Pacific island country to do so.