Venkat Raman
Auckland, April 10, 2020
Mainland China has delivered 47 specialised military vehicles to Fiji, as a gift to the South Pacific country as a part of China’s Natural Disaster Relief and Humanitarian Intervention.
An official ceremony was held in Suva yesterday at which China’s Ambassador to Fiji Qian Bo presented the official document to Fiji’s Defence, National Security and Foreign Affairs Minister Inia Seruiratu in the presence of senior government officials and officers of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF).
The fleet is reported to be of six different specialised military vehicles, sailed across to the Pacific for 20 days and nights at the end of 2019, whilst Tropical Cyclone Sarai passed over the Fiji waters.
“What is quite dramatic is that, after sailing 20 days and nights on the Pacific, the cargo ship carting these vehicles happened to encounter Tropical Cyclone Sarai in Suva, which interrupted the offloading and held the ship on the sea for another four days and nights. On the last day of the year 2019, the ship at last managed to offload all the vehicles and left immediately,” Mr Qian said.
He described the eventful journey as ‘a vivid example of bilateral cooperation between China and Fiji and that the bond has withstood the test of time and changing circumstances.
Fighting Covid-19 in Fiji
“The defence cooperation between the two countries is a cooperation of brothers in enhancing the response capability of the RFMF to natural disaster relief and humanitarian intervention,” he said.
“China-Fiji defence cooperation will contribute to regional peace and stability, which is an integral part of China’s grand commitment and great endeavour to build a community with a shared future for mankind,” he added.
Mr Seruiratu said that the new fleet of vehicles will be used in times of emergency, including during the current COVID-19 health crisis and respond to Tropical Cyclone Harold.
In doing so, this gift will come of immediate, life-saving use in a time of need.
“I thank you for helping us protect the Fijian people by fighting off new-age enemies of climate change and contagion,” he said.
