A Vakasenuqanuqa Ceremony, or traditional homecoming celebration, was held in Somosomo, Taveuni on March 18th for His Excellency Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu on his inauguration as President of the Republic of Fiji. Chinese Ambassador to Fiji Zhou Jian attended the ceremony as a special guest, along with Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and other officials of the Fiji government.
In his speech, President Lalabalavu thanked Ambassador Zhou for attending the event, and expressed gratitude to China for its sincere help to Fiji all along, including the recent donation of solar streetlights to Somosomo village.
Ambassador Zhou offered congratulations to President Lalabalavu. Noting that this year marks the 50th anniversary of China-Fiji diplomatic relations and the 170th anniversary of Chinese arrival in Fiji, he expressed readiness to seize the momentum and bring China-Fiji relations to new heights.
After the ceremony, Ambassador Zhou handed over 40 solar streetlights worth of 82 thousand Fijian dollars donated by the Chinese Embassy in Fiji to Somosomo Village. He visited Somosomo District School and brought the students stationery and small gifts.