Past Thursday a Category 5 Cyclone “Yasa” struck Fiji, causing injuries and loss of lives and huge property damage. Many places in the north were severely affected.

On Friday, December 19, Chinese Ambassador to Fiji Qian Bo handed over a cheque of $210,000 emergency assistance on behalf of the Red Cross Society of China to Ilisapeci Rokotunidau, Director-General of the Fiji Red Cross Society, which is confirmed as the first foreign donation.

Ambassador Qian highly commended that the Fijian Government had lost no time in doing its utmost to protect the life of people and relieve the disaster, and the Fiji Red Cross has also taken active measures in the frontline.

“We pay tribute to the Fiji Red Cross Society staff who are working relentlessly in the front line of disaster relief. China is a country which suffers a lot from natural disasters each year,” he said.

“The Chinese Government and people are very sympathetic with the devastation incurred on the Fijian people by the Cyclone Yasa.

“Our feelings are with those who lost their loved ones and suffer property damage and losses.

“We are confident that under the strong leadership of Fijian Government, and with the help of the international community, the Fijian people will overcome difficulties and resume their normal lives as soon as possible,” Ambassador Qian said.

The Chinese Embassy in Fiji is keeping close contact and communication with the relevant departments of Fijian Government, and China will continue supporting Fijian Government and people for disaster relief wherever needed.

The Director-General of the Fiji Red Cross Society thanked China’s generous and timely assistance and briefed the Ambassador about the current and following rescue work of the society.

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