STORY: China's connectivity initiatives benefit Fiji's development: PM
SHOOTING TIME: April 2, 2024
DATELINE: April 5, 2024
LENGTH: 00:00:49
LOCATION: VANUA LEVU, Fiji
CATEGORY: POLITICS

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Fiji
2. SOUNDBITE (English): SITIVENI RABUKA, Fijian Prime Minister

STORYLINE:

China's assistance is instrumental in the development of Fiji and other Pacific island countries, said Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka.
   
Fiji has enjoyed a very good relationship with China since the establishment of diplomatic ties, and is "very happy to see that China develops relations with the Pacific island countries," the prime minister told Xinhua during his Tuesday visit to the road upgrade project in Vanua Levu, the second-largest island in Fiji.
   
In the company of Chinese Ambassador to Fiji Zhou Jian, Rabuka listened to a report from the Chinese technical team conducting a feasibility study for a road upgrade project, which will connect 61 villages and 15 schools with over 80 km of rural roads renovated and 22 new bridges.
   
The prime minister thanked the technical team for their dedicated work, and expressed his appreciation to the Chinese government for its continued assistance and support to Fiji.
   
SOUNDBITE (English): SITIVENI RABUKA, Fijian Prime Minister
"The road upgrading programs that we have, three stretches of roads on Vanua Levu, which are very meaningful in the development of the whole island, particularly connecting the number of villages that are not very well-connected.
We have had a very good relationship with China. We have adopted the one-China policy. We are very happy with (China's) relationship with the other Pacific islands."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Vanua Levu, Fiji.
(XHTV)