HIS EXCELLENCY RATU EPELI NAILATIKAU

CF, LVO, OBE (Mil), OStJ, CSM, MSD

President of the Republic of Fiji

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ADDRESS AT THE CHINESE NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS HOSTED BY THE CHINESE ASSOCIATIONS IN FIJI

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yat Sen Hall Sunday, 10th February, 2013

Flagstaff 10.30a.m.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The President of the Fiji Chinese association, Mrs. Jenny Seeto;
The Minister for Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation: Doctor Jiko Luveni;
The Ambassador of the People's Republic of China: Your Excellency Huang Yong
Distinguished Guests;
Ladies, Gentlemen and Children,

It is indeed a pleasure for Adi Koila and me to be part of this celebration to usher in the most important traditional Chinese holiday - the Chinese New Year - otherwise known as the Spring Festival.

This year being the Lunar Year of the Snake signifies the belief that families will not lack anything and that it will be a good year for business.

Like all cultures that treasure their family and their business ethics, the Lunar Year of the Snake is another opportunity for one to strengthen one's commitment to loved ones and to business as a source of livelihood.

The celebration of the Chinese New Year here in Fiji is indicative of a very active local Chinese community - a community that is proudly an integral part of Fiji and a community that has contributed to the rich diversity of the cultures of Fiji and indeed to the economy of this country.

I am told that this is one of the largest Chinese functions organized by virtually all the Chinese Associations and entities in Fiji. It is good to witness such a great community spirit.

I have been reliably informed that the turnout this morning is close to 700 people and that there had been a heavier demand by many more people to be given the opportunity to be here today.

This venue at the Yat Sen schools and the setting in the Yat Sen hall is very fitting, as the schools have always been at the heart and indeed the soul of many of the activities by the Chinese community. Apart from providing a first class facility for the students of Yat Sen, the hall is widely used for sporting activities - international ones at that - and thus provide an additional development venue for the sporting associations of Fiji.

I am certain that every one here today but particularly the president of the Chinese Association of Fiji, and the Ambassador of the People's Republic Of China, are pleased to witness this colourful family event celebrated on a Fiji wide scale and by people of all ages, thus bringing everyone together.

The Chinese Association of Fiji whose President is Jenny Seeto has been instrumental in co-ordinating the planning of this event, and her leadership of the hard working committee of some very prominent men - gender equality at its best I might add - has made it possible for the community and their many friends to celebrate this marvelous and colourful new year celebration.

I remember that many years ago the Chinese New Year's celebrations were very much on people's calendar. The China Club on Charlton Avenue and Queen Elizabeth Drive used to organize such wonderful dinner/dances - and was the focal point for many family and community functions - where all races were as one in their celebration. I trust that in future such events will be revived.

In this connection, I am pleased to see the restoration of the China Club - an undertaking that has been led by Dixon Seeto and his Committee. Perhaps the famous China Club basketball team will be revived.

As you are all aware, the Fiji-China Friendship Association was formed last year and is headed by Dr Jiko Luveni, the Minister of Women, Social Welfare and Poverty Alleviation.

The association together with other Chinese provincial groups have been active in hosting Chinese groups visiting Fiji. Apart from that the association itself has also visited china on cultural exchanges.

These cultural exchanges and the developments of sister city programmes are an ideal way of strengthening our ties and of gaining a better understanding of our peoples and of our different cultures.

According to research conducted by the Chinese association some years ago the first Chinese came to Fiji about two centuries ago on the brigantine Eliza which was shipwrecked on Mocea reef, just south of the island of Nairai, in the Lomaiviti group in 1808.

The two Chinese men on the ship were Luis and Saoo, who were possibly the cook and the carpenter, and for some five years from 1808 to 1813 they lived and worked on Bau, the island where I hail from and which was one of the centres of activities at the time.

Unfortunately, Luis was killed at black rock in Bua together with Charles Savage and several of his European and Bauan companions when they were ambushed by the people of Wailea. Saoo who did not go ashore and remained on the ship hunter survived and must have returned to china as the hunter set sail the day after the massacre together with the ship Elizabeth and ending the sandalwood trade era by their departure.

So, you see there was a Bauan connection or one might ask is there a bauan connection? There could be because I cannot contemplate Luis and Saoo living in Bau for five years and just cooking and carrying out carpentry chores!

The next recorded and significant arrivals were in 1852, and the Chinese community built up steadily from there. Since then the Chinese have been part of the back bone of our business and farming community.

Many of the original immigrant families from China have migrated to other countries but fiji continues to welcome the arrival of other Chinese families.

The Chinese community, though small in size, is hard working, responsible and law abiding, and is not only a very important asset to the fiji economy but also, and more importantly to the development and future progress of fiji.

Chinese businessmen and farmers have provided the impetus to our nation's growth and have been a key in the development of our exports in the agricultural industry. Ginger, dalo and some marine products are some of the major exports first developed by the Chinese. Our markets now have an abundance of vegetables supplied by chinese as well as by other farmers.

The Chinese Education Society of Fiji has been instrumental in providing excellent education not only to the Chinese but also to the other communities.

The fact that approximately 50% of the school roll on average is of non-Chinese ethnic origin is a testament to the quality and multiracial nature of education provided at the Yat Sen schools.

The government supports the school by providing teachers. The school has not relied on government funding to provide the excellent facilities that it makes available to its students.

The board of the Chinese Education Society supported by the parents, students and teachers has led the way in demonstrating what can be achieved for the children.

Unlike other school models, the teachers at the Yat Sen schools concentrate on providing quality education while the fundraising is left principally to the parents and friends of the school and the board. The teachers do not need to be concerned about funding arrangements. This model has been successful and is an example that other schools could follow.

The education scene looks rosy now but you should all be made aware that it was not all roses in the beginning. There were many thorns. So the faith, the perseverance, the patience, the determination and the goodwill of your grandparents should forever be admired - lest you, or us, forget.

Through its look North policy, the Fiji government is adamant in strengthening its relation with other countries, including china. In doing this, Fiji hopes to diversify and broaden its international partnership.

I had earlier alluded to the Bauan connection so I am wearing red today not by sheer coincidence, but because of affinity.

Red, as many of you are aware, is a sign of good luck and the giving of red packets to everyone including the children signifies the importance of children in these celebrations as they are our future.

I felt very lucky when a red packet was given to me this morning by the President of the Chinese Association of Fiji. As a matter of fact, i still feel lucky for what is in store but particularly for our future as a country.

Ladies and gentlemen and children, you are all aware of the virtues and the shortcomings of those who are born under the sign of the snake.

I will let you into the picture. Both Adi Koila and i were born under the sign of the snake - one in 1953 and one in 1941. But I will leave it to you to work that one out. Dixon Seeto, for heaven's sake, don't get it wrong otherwise there will be hell to pay!

In conclusion, I wish all the families here today and those all over fiji an enjoyable and a very prosperous and happy New Year of the Snake. Gung hay fat Choy!

-------------------------------------------