The University of the South Pacific’s (USP) Deputy Head of the School of Pacific Arts, Communication, and Education (SPACE), Associate Professor Shailendra Singh, led a team that met with a high-level, seven-member delegation from People’s Daily, China at the Laucala Campus in Fiji recently.
The delegation, headed by Deputy Editor-in-Chief Fang Jiangshan, emphasised the longstanding bilateral ties between Fiji and China, spanning trade, economics, and cultural exchange.
During the meeting at the Confucius Institute, discussions covered China-Fiji relations, people-to-people connections, and youth cooperation. Both sides explored potential collaboration in news production, talent cultivation, and academic exchanges.
Dr Singh, who is also the head of journalism at USP, welcomed the opportunity for collaboration, noting the growing calls within the Pacific media sector for stronger ties with Asia. He highlighted similarities between Asia and the Pacific in terms of history, culture, and development, which provide a natural basis for enhanced cooperation.
Dr Singh also serves on the advisory committee of the Confucius Centre and highlighted that while contact has been limited due to distance and language barriers, recent efforts to foster closer relations are promising.
Fang reflected on the historical ties between China and Fiji, noting that next year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations. He underscored the importance of language in fostering mutual understanding and praised the Confucius Institute’s role in promoting cultural and educational exchanges.
Since its inception in 2012, the Institute has been a vital bridge between China and Fiji, supporting cultural cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative. Fang also commended the Institute’s efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, when it continued offering online courses to strengthen the bond between the two nations.
The USP team included:
The Chinese delegation included:
