The Chinese embassy has heaped praises on the contri­bution by Fijian workers in the Stinson Parade and Vatuwaqa bridges project.

The acknowledgement came from Gu Yu, the charge d’affaires at the Embassy of People’s Republic of China in Suva.

He was speaking at the opening ceremony of the China-Aid Stin­son Parade Bridge and Vatuwaqa Bridge Project in Suva yesterday.

Mr Gu said the Stinson Parade Bridge and the Vatuwaqa Bridge were described as the “Bridges of Brotherhood” that showcased the friendship between the Fijian peo­ple and the Chinese.

“I have visited the two projects during the construction for several times,” Mr Yu said.

“Today, on the occasion of the cel­ebration of the completion of the bridges, I cannot help thinking of one of my friends, a Fijian worker, whose name is Enisi, who previous­ly worked on a Chinese fishing ves­sel, and then joined the construc­tion team of the bridges.

“During the construction, he not only learned skills of steel bar pro­cessing and welding, but also got a promotion to a team leader.”

He said his Fijian friend was among the 600 Fijian workers and 40 Chinese workers who worked for the construction of the two bridges.

“I would like to extend my con­gratulations and respect to all the Fijian and Chinese workers.”

He said in over 18 months they saw that the teamwork showed by the Fijian and Chinese workers side by side, successfully resulted in the quick completion of the two bridges.

“The Stinson Parade Bridge and the Vatuwaqa Bridge are the “bridges of development” which showcased the co-operation be­tween our two governments,” Mr Gu said.

He said the bridges are grant-aid projects funded by the Chinese gov­ernment valued at $30 million.

The successful completion of the bridges not only trained many workers for Fiji, but also will ease the traffic congestion in the area and closely connect the Suva-Nau­sori economic corridor.

Edited by George Kulamaiwasa

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