Fiji's Foreign Affairs Minister Ratu Inoke Kubuabola said on Wednesday that while Fiji and China have enjoyed 35 years of partnership they have respected one another. "The ties between the two countries have been a mutual one with non interference in their internal affairs," he said.

Speaking at the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Fiji here Wednesday evening, Kubuabola said the two countries value one another.

He said though that before 1975 the Chinese were engaged in Fiji's sandalwood and beach de-mer trade in Fiji showing ties that go back a long way.

As part of this great relationship Fiji was going to establish a consul office in Shanghai soon, said the foreign minister, adding that "Fiji's look North policy will strengthen these ties. "

Kubuabola said China offered answers for trade to Fiji and the people to people relationship between the two countries was expanding, pointing out that Chinese visitors to Fiji boosted the tourism industry and there was a huge increase in Chinese arrivals from 8,453 visitors in 2007 to 15,594 in 2009.

He said the arrival figures would increase with the commencement of a third weekly direct flight between Nadi and Hong Kong next month by Fiji's national airline Air Pacific.

Kubuabola said the cultural exchange between the two countries was also boosted recently.

To date more than 150 civil servants have benefited from short term training in China in 2009. In 2010, 50 Fijians are studying in China.

Kubuabola said China has been a true friend of Fiji during its time of need, adding that "Fiji values this relationship with China as most important, with a promising future."

Chinese Ambassador to Fiji Han Zhiqiang also spoke highly of the bilateral relations between China and Fiji, saying "we respect each others sovereignty and territorial integrity, support each others social and economic development and have close cooperation on international affairs."

China is currently involved with constructing Fiji's Government House fencing project, while cooperation on new Navua Hospital construction is expected to start soon. The Navuso Bridge was completed in 2009.

Han also noted that just four days ago, the 2010 world expo in Shanghai closed and congratulated Fiji's participation there, adding that from the expo more Chinese came to know about Fiji as a "Shining pearl in the Pacific."

The ambassador said that China was glad to see the development of reforms in Fiji and supported it. "As developing countries, both China and Fiji are facing the same task of development and both are implementing reform to raise the standards of living standards of their people," he said.

Han stressed that China and Fiji have every reason to further strengthen bilateral ties.