A reception was held in Beijing Tuesday to mark the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Fiji.  

Visiting Fiji Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase attended the reception.

Addressing the reception, hosted by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), Chen Haosu, president of the CPAFFC, said the establishment of long-term ties between China and Fiji, both developing nations in the Asian and Pacific region, serves the common interests of the two peoples and is conducive to the regional and world peace and stability.

China is grateful for Fiji's understanding and support in international affairs and highly appreciates Fiji's adherence to the one-China policy, Chen said.

Laisenia Qarase said that the mutual respect and trust between the two governments and peoples keep growing. Evidence for that assertion is provided by the Fiji-China exchange and other forms of cooperation in various fields, such as politics, economics and culture, which are improving remarkably.

He expressed the hope that economic ties could be furthered in the future, noting that Fiji welcomes more Chinese enterprises to invest in his country.

(Xinhua News Agency June 29, 2005)