Artists perform during an event celebrating China's National Day and Mid-Autumn festival in Suva, Fiji, Sept. 8, 2019. The Chinese community in Fiji celebrated on Sunday the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and the Mid-Autumn Festival with the participation of Fijian leaders, Chinese officials, the diplomatic corps, members of the Chinese community and representatives of Chinese institutions in the island nation. (Xinhua/Zhang Yongxing)

SUVA, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese community in Fiji celebrated on Sunday the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and the Mid-Autumn Festival with the participation of Fijian leaders, Chinese officials, the diplomatic corps, members of the Chinese community and representatives of Chinese institutions in the island nation.

During a grand celebration at the Fijian capital's Suva Civic Center, Fijian Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama voiced his willingness to join the Chinese community in celebrating the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. He also spoke highly of the relations between the two countries because such relationship is one that has been built on great respect and genuine kindness that remains constant to this day.

"Spanning more than four decades, the friendship between Fiji and China has never waned, with our nations bonded by a common and steady recognition of the mutual benefits of bilateralism. And, as both of our nations have experienced great evolution over the course of the years, we have witnessed a similar blossoming of both our economies and our societies alike," he said.

"And this historic progress has only picked up steam in recent years, with visitors from China to Fiji helping fuel the unprecedented growth of our tourism sector. In fact, China is among Fiji's largest growth markets, with visitor numbers increasing 11-fold from 4,087 in 2009 to 49,083 in 2016. I look forward to seeing those numbers continue to climb in the years ahead, as more visitors return home and spread the word of their unforgettable experiences in our beautiful Fiji."

For his part, Chinese Ambassador to Fiji Qian Bo said that in recent years, under the guidance of the leaders of the two countries, China-Fiji relations have maintained a sound momentum of development.

"Since the beginning of this year, the political mutual trust between the two countries has been consolidated, economic and trade cooperation has been on the boom, people-to-people exchanges have been various and colorful, and the understanding and friendship between the two peoples have been deepened," he said.

"We are ready to, together with the Fijian side, constantly enhance mutual trust, continue to firmly support each other on issues concerning respective core interests, strengthen the synergy of development strategies to jointly facilitate cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative in line with the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, expand people-to-people and cultural exchanges including tourism, reinforce communication and coordination on issues such as climate change under multilateral mechanisms, and make joint efforts to safeguard free trade and multilateralism, so as to push forward our comprehensive strategic partnership."

Jenny Seeto, president of the Chinese Association of Fiji, said that through China's strong leadership, vision and determination of its people, the country has achieved tremendous growth and influence in the global economy.

"The continuing friendship and strengthening of relationship between the Fijian and the Chinese governments demonstrate a genuine desire to ensure that we cooperate at all levels and for all engagements. The strides in China's development and its impact on the global economy cannot be ignored as it enters a new era on this 70th Anniversary," she said.