The leaders of the Chinese community in Fiji have collectively agreed not to have a public celebration to welcome the Year of Tiger.

Chinese Association of Fiji President Jenny Seeto said this was to ensure that it complies with COVID-safe protocols.

Ms Seeto advised that celebrations were to take place at the families’ respective homes.

The community has instead channelled resources to the Tongan relief efforts.

Two container-loads of humanitarian goods were handed over to the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) at the Vodafone Arena carpark yesterday.

“Our prayers and thoughts go out to the Tongan community and we pray that the country and its people will recover quickly from the devastation caused by the volcanic eruption,” Ms Seeto said.

“I have been to Tonga on many occasions and I have good friends in Tonga and Fiji.”

“I grew up with Tongan neighbours and are friends with Tongan students who went to USP so I have an affinity with Tongans.”

“I am very grateful to the Chinese leaders who spearheaded this humanitarian effort at such short notice.”

“I take this opportunity to wish everyone a Happy Lunar New Year as we welcome the Year of the Tiger and wish everyone good health, prosperity and happiness.”

“I’d like to thank Vasiti Soko, director of NDMO and her team, for the excellent work they are doing to get supplies to Tonga.”

Ms Soko said it was encouraging to witness the level of support from different communities amid the challenges they were already facing during the pandemic.

“With all that, we are still able to pull this together, and we have a lot to be thankful for,” she said.

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