A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between the Guangdong province of the People’s Republic of China and Republic of Fiji last Friday.

The agreement will set the pace to boost the collaboration and friendly exchanges within the principles of mutual trust, deepened friendship and strengthened development cooperation.

The signing took place between the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Fiji Qian Bo, and the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ioane Naivalurua at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters in Suva.

Ambassador Qian said the MOU signing was another milestone achievement in raising Fiji-China diplomatic relations to new heights. He said it would increase the levels of engagement Fiji has with the Guangdong province particularly in pursuing programmes and projects with elements of socioeconomic development.

“I would like to express my sincere thanks to the Government of Fiji for our friendly bilateral cooperation,” he said.

“This MOU will promote comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Fiji. It will enable the Guangdong province to reach out to our friends in Fiji with development programmes in infrastructure, health, education and cultural exchanges.

“I would like to express sincere gratitude to Fiji’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their strong support in strengthening this collaboration.”

Mr Naivalurua acknowledged the Government of People’s Republic of China for their constant support towards Fiji’s development.

He said the signing of the recent MOU is a reflection of Fiji-China’s commitment to nurture everlasting friendship.

“Guangdong has been identified as the key strategic province to engage with Fiji and with this MOU it will provide guidance for our cooperation in the areas of trade, tourism and investment, livelihood projects,

agriculture and fisheries, people to people exchanges, communication and coordination,” he said.

“The cooperation with Guangdong’s capital city of Guangzhou has established sister city relations with Suva City Council and the tangible benefits of our cooperation is seen through renovation of Suva Civic Auditorium undertaken by the Guangdong province along with other infrastructure projects.”