Li Ruihuan, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), met Monday in Suva with Fijian Acting President Ratu Jope Naucabalavu Seniloli and they had a cordial and friendly conversation.
Li, who arrived in Nadi on Sunday for a five-day official goodwill visit as guest of the Fijian government, flied in this capital of Fiji on Monday morning.
Li said that in the past 26 years since the two countries established diplomatic ties, leaders of both countries have maintained frequent contacts, and the friendship between the two peoples has been strengthened.
Bilateral exchanges and cooperation are fruitful in the fields of politics, economy, trade, culture and education, and Fiji has become China's second largest trading partner among the south pacific island nations, he said.
He thanked the Fijian government for its persistence to the "one China" stance, saying China is satisfied with the good momentum of relations between the two nations.
Li said both as developing nations, China and Fiji are faced with the same task of developing their respective economy and improving their people's living standard.
And the economy of the two countries is fairly complementary and there exist broad prospects for bilateral cooperation of mutual benefit, he said, adding as both are in the Asia-Pacific region, they share the same stance and interests on safeguarding and promoting regional peace and stability.
Although China and Fiji have different social systems, they respect and treat each other on equal footing, he said.
Noting that the two nations have no conflict of fundamental interests, Li said the furtherance of bilateral friendly ties will be in the interests of both peoples and conducive to the regional prosperity and stability.
His ongoing visit to Fiji is aimed at strengthening understanding, increasing friendship, expanding consensus and promoting cooperation, Li said, hoping the concerted efforts by both sides serve to comprehensively push forward bilateral friendly relations of cooperation.
Seniloli said Li's visit would help increase the understanding and friendship between the two peoples and enhance the friendly cooperative ties between the two countries.
He noted that the Fijian people treasure their friendship with the Chinese people and feel greatly happy about China's progress in recent years.
The Fijian government will, as always, stick to the "one China" policy and make every effort to promote the overall development ofbilateral friendly cooperation.
After the meeting, the acting president gave a traditional welcoming ceremony and hosted a state banquet in Li's honor. Fijian Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase and Li's entourage were present on the occasion.
In the afternoon, Li met with Qarase and Foreign Minister Kaliopate Tavola. He also attended a ground-breaking ceremony for the gymnasium facilities that are to be build with the assistance from China.
Fiji is the first leg of Li's three-nation Asia-Pacific tour, which also includes Papua New Guinea and Singapore.
(People's Daily November 13, 2001)
