Director of Fiji's Department of Heritage and Arts Mr. Collin Yabaki delivers a speech on Sept. 15, 2017. (Xinhua/Zhang Yongxing)
by Zhang Yongxing
SUVA, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- Fijians are now very keen to get to know a changing China and willing to see increasing cultural exchanges between the two countries as they are vital to further promoting the already good bilateral relations, Fijian cultural officials and artists said.
"Our two countries' relations are close and we are just like brothers and sisters. Today's Fijians are very keen to know China's rapid development, want to learn from China and work together with China to enjoy a win-win cooperation," Collin Yabaki, director of Fiji's Heritage and Arts Department, told Xinhua at a ceremony held on Thursday by the China Cultural Center to farewell two Fijian delegations that will be visiting China.
In the eyes of Yabaki, who has visited China twice with an indelible impression, cultural exchange is a bridge and one of the best ways to help the two countries and peoples deepen their mutual understanding and enhance their friendly cooperative ties.
"Through the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that was signed between China and Fiji, the friendly cultural ties between our two countries have been consolidated and strengthened," Yabaki said proudly, adding that "this cultural exchange has really enhanced our citizens' cultural understanding and appreciating cultural creativity that exists in both Fiji and China."
Yabaki expressed his heartfelt thanks to China and encouraged Fijian delegates to learn as much as they can and share the knowledge they get from the trips to help build the South Pacific island state's cultural capacity.
"Thank you for the heart of generosity, it has enabled our fellow Fijians to visit your country... I believe whatever they learn from these trips will help in the cultural capacity building of Fiji," he said.
He believed that China-Fiji relationship can be called a model of friendly cooperation between China and island countries in the South Pacific region.
Echoing Yabaki's views, Merewalesi Vueti, director of Fiji's Library Services and Anare Somumu, a Fijian artist, told Xinhua that Fiji treasures its relations with China and they will learn as much as they can from their trips in order to help form closer and stronger cultural ties between the two countries.
Vueti, who visited China last year and will lead a six-member Fijian delegation on a 10-day tour to China's central Henan Province in October, said China has been developing rapidly over the past decades, and Fiji and China have a lot to learn from each other.
"What I have learned from my previous trip to China is that like China, we have to love and preserve our traditional culture and language as these are the symbols of our country," she said.
Deputy Chief of Mission of Chinese Embassy in Fiji Mr. Gu Yu (First from right) talks with Fijian cultural officials and artists on Sept. 15, 2017. (Xinhua/Zhang Yongxing)
"Cultural exchange with countries like China is very important because it is one of the best ways to further our two countries' ties. By the way, during our coming trip to Zhengzhou, capital city of China's Henan Province, we will sign with the city library a cooperation agreement aiming at establishing a China Corner at the Fiji Library. "
Somumu, who is one of the two artists to attend the 7th Beijing International Biennial Fine Arts Exhibition later this month, told Xinhua that he likes to go to China as such a trip can broaden his vision.
"It is my dream to travel to China as this will certainly help open my eyes to the outside world. This will be a good chance and platform for me to learn from my Chinese and other countries' artists while showcasing Fijian culture and build connections," he said.
The China Cultural Center, an unofficial organization from China, which was opened to public in downtown Suva, capital ofFiji in 2015, arranged the two groups' visits to China.
Deng Xianfu, director of China Cultural Center, said the center is willing to sponsor Fijians for such visits with the goal of helping build the Pacific island nation's cultural capacity.
"While promoting Chinese culture here in Fiji, we also like to work toward facilitating cultural development in the country, giving local professionals the opportunity to gain experience and exposure, to be equipped with the knowledge and resources needed to progress the country through effective capacity building," he said.
Deng expressed his confidence that his center will play an active role in enhancing mutual understanding, exploring new frontiers of cultural cooperation and promoting mutual learning between China and South Pacific island countries, includingFiji.
Gu Yu, deputy chief of mission of the Chinese embassy in Suva, attended the ceremony on behalf of Chinese Ambassador Zhang Ping.
He said cultural exchange, which is the common aspiration of the peoples, has become a major component of China-Fijirelations, playing the role as a bridge and bond that connect the hearts and souls of the two peoples.
"Being located on the natural extension of the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road, Fiji is well positioned in the Belt and Road cooperation. A closer cooperation under the Belt and Road framework between our two countries will enable us to tap the great potentials to benefit the country's economic development and improve people's livelihood," he said.
"I believe that with the joint efforts of our countries, China-Fiji, China-South Pacific cultural exchanges and cooperation will be broadened and more fruitful results will be achieved."
