STORY: China hands over 2 sports facilities to Fiji
SHOOTING TIME: Jan. 12, 2024
DATELINE: Jan. 13, 2024
LENGTH: 00:03:31
LOCATION: Suva
CATEGORY: POLITICS/SPORTS

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the handover ceremony
2. SOUNDBITE (English): ZHOU JIAN, Chinese Ambassador to Fiji
3. various of Fijian prime minister visiting the Aquatic Center
4. various of Fijian prime minister and Chinese ambassador visiting the National Hockey Center
5. Aerial video of the National Hockey Center
6. SOUNDBITE (English): SITIVENI RABUKA, Fijian Prime Minister

STORYLINE:

A China-aided renovation project of the Suva Multi-Purpose Sports Arena was handed over to Fiji on Friday.

The project, covering the Aquatic Center and National Hockey Center in the sports arena, was launched in June 2022 and funded by the Chinese government.

While addressing the handover ceremony, Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka highlighted these venues' significance beyond sports, expressing gratitude for China's steadfast support, and anticipating the continued growth of the partnership and deeper collaborations in sports education and technology between both sides.

Chinese Ambassador to Fiji Zhou Jian said that this project demonstrates the positive momentum of mutually beneficial cooperation between the two sides, and the bright future of China-Fiji cooperation in jointly building the Belt and Road.

SOUNDBITE (English): ZHOU JIAN, Chinese Ambassador to Fiji
"Over more than one year, the Chinese company that undertook the project had to overcome challenges from the heat, the rains and the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite all that, it managed to press ahead with the project while ensuring high quality. Last October, the project was completed."

The Chinese-funded Suva Multi-Purpose Sports Arena, including the Aquatic Center, National Hockey Center and the Vodafone Stadium, provided stages for spectacular sports scenes when Fiji hosted the 2003 "South Pacific Games." For more than 20 years, numerous events have taken place in these facilities.

The handover ceremony was attended by dignitaries, members of the diplomatic community and representatives from various sectors, marking a significant moment in Fiji-China relations and the development of sports infrastructure in the region.

As the Chinese New Year draws near, the Fijian prime minister also expressed good wishes to the Chinese people.

SOUNDBITE (English): SITIVENI RABUKA, Fijian Prime Minister
"I believe it's the Year of the Dragon. It's the year of strength, the year of nobility. I would like to wish the government of the People's Republic of China and all the Chinese in the world a very happy and prosperous Chinese New Year."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Suva.
(XHTV)