STORY: Fiji issues Year of Dragon stamps to celebrate Chinese New Year
SHOOTING TIME: Feb. 3, 2024
DATELINE: Feb. 4, 2024
LENGTH: 00:04:58
LOCATION: Suva
CATEGORY: CULTURE

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the stamp launching ceremony
2. SOUNDBITE (English): RATU WILIAME KATONIVERE, Fijian President

STORYLINE:

A launching ceremony was held at a town near the Fijian capital for the Year of the Dragon stamps on Saturday in celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year, which falls on Feb. 10.
   
Speaking at the ceremony in Nausori, Fijian President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere acknowledged the event as an opportunity to recognize the achievements and contributions of the Chinese community, reflecting the enduring relationship between Fiji and China.

SOUNDBITE (English): RATU WILIAME KATONIVERE, Fijian President
"Bula! And happy Chinese New Year. It is a pleasure that I take this opportunity to wish you all the compliments of the season for the Year of the Dragon. Stay blessed and enjoy the holidays. Thank you.
I think it's an occasion where we showcase our culture, a tradition that has been with the Chinese for thousands of years. Celebrating that brings family together. We also have the same in Fiji. We do celebrate Christmas, we celebrate Easter. So to celebrate the Chinese New Year with the Chinese community in Fiji, we are honored be part of it."

Activities featuring Chinese culture and food were presented at the ceremony for both Chinese and local customers to immerse themselves in the traditional Chinese New Year atmosphere.
  
The event was co-sponsored by China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Chinese embassy in Fiji, and hosted by the China Cultural Center in the island country.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Suva.
(XHTV)