A visiting senior Chinese official met in Suva Tuesday and Wednesday with Fijian leaders to discuss political as well as economic and trade relations between China and Fiji.

After his arrival here Tuesday, Luo Haocai, vice-chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), held separate talks with Fijian Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase, Parliament President Taito Waqavakatoga, and speaker of House of Representatives Ratu Epeli Nailatikau.

In the talks between Luo and Qarase, the Fijian prime minister said that relations between his country and China have kept developing since the establishment of diplomatic relations in November 1975.

He pledged that the Fijian government will stick to the one-China principle and firmly support the Chinese government's stance on the issue of Taiwan. In the talks between Luo and the two Fijian parliament leaders, Waqavakatoga

and Nailatikau expressed the hope that Luo's current visit will contribute to enhancing friendship between the two countries and between the Chinese and Fijian peoples.

Luo said that relations between China and Fiji have been very good despite the fact the two countries are far from each other geographically. The two nations have well cooperated with each other in the fields of agriculture, fishery and tourism, and that there will be greater room for strengthening such cooperation along with the economic development of both nations, he explained.

Luo also expressed appreciation to the Fijian government and parliament for their adherence to the one-China policy and their support extended to China in international affairs.

Source: Xinhua