There is an estimated 1500 overseas Chinese business people operating in the Capital and in the Greater Suva Area.

This information was relayed by the director Zhao Fugang of the Overseas Chinese Center and Consular Assistance Volunteers of the Embassy of China.

Mr Zhao is also the owner of Yue Lai Hotel in Flagstaff, Suva.

He has lived in Fiji for more than 20 years.

He spoke on the margins of the Fiji Police and Chinese Community Exchange Forum on Public Security at the hotel yesterday.

Additionally, there are between 4000 to 5000 people who make up the international Chinese community, he said.

Police Commissioner Brigadier-General Sitiveni Qiliho (fourth from left), Chinese Ambassador to Fiji Qian Bo (fifth from left), director Zhao Fugang (sixth from left) of the Overseas Chinese Center and Consular Assistance Volunteers of the Embassy of China and stakeholders of the event at the Yue Lai Hotel on December 21, 2021. Photo: Ranoba Baoa

Exchange Forum
During the Fiji Police and Chinese Community Exchange Forum, the community acknowledged the support rendered from the Police but called for beefing up of security for their people.

This was requested on the back of a case of interest of aggravated robbery in Namaqumaqua, Serua on December 9, 2021.

Details of the report said it happened at around 3am where four masked men allegedly forcefully entered the home of the family.

The quad stole cash, threatened the family including a baby at knife-point, stayed at the home for about two hours and ate the family’s food.

They left the home in the car of the family’s where it was abandoned at Gaji Road near Lagilagi Housing in Suva.

The shocking details were relayed by the community members and confirmed by Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro.

Other reports of violence, related to robbery were also brought to the Police Commissioner Brigadier-General Sitiveni Qiliho’s attention and his high-powered delegate.

To this, Brigadier-General Qiliho told the members to contact him at any time should they require his attention.

Also provided were contact details of the team, which included chief of Intelligence and Investigations ACP Surend Sami and senior directors as well as the command centres.

Mr Zhao said it was a fruitful dialogue and looked forward to more co-operation with Police and the Fijian stakeholders in the future.

Some of the high-powered delegates of the Fiji Police Force who accompanied Police Commissioner Brigadier-General Sitiveni Qiliho during the Fiji Police and Chinese Community Exchange Forum at the Yue Lai Hotel on December 21, 2021. Photo: Police Media Cell

Other Issues Highlighted:
1. Need for the community to be more confident in their report of violence and not be swayed by possible revenge hits from the perpetrators.

2. Getting to you know your neighbours and develop a rapport to ensure that they look out for one’s property and safety (details Page 8)

3. Need to beef up security along Victoria Parade.

Highlighted was the increase in number of street kids, between the age of 10 and 12 when the bars close.

These new generation often created security issues among patrons and businesses along this stretch.

4. Issue on language barrier was eased when a member of the community said they would avail themselves for translation to help Police.

Also, Brigadier-General Qiliho noted that some in the Force were now fluent Mandarin.

The forum was held in partnership with the Fiji Police Force, the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Fiji, the Chinese community in Suva and the Overseas Chinese Service Centre in Fiji.

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