Fiji’s Assistant Education Minister: China-Fiji Cooperation Is Invaluable | SFC Markets and Finance

SFC Correspondent Shi Shi in Fiji

As China-Fiji relations continue to grow, cooperation in education is deepening steadily.

Elissa Vanawalu, Fiji’s Assistant Minister of Education, shared with SFC Markets and Finance that many Fijian students are studying in China under scholarship programs, with some having already completed their studies while others are still working hard to finish theirs. He emphasized that these opportunities are invaluable for Fiji, a developing country, where support from partners like China allows students to access fields of study not available locally.

For Vanawalu, education cooperation represents not only academic exchange, but also cultural understanding and the nurturing of future leaders, laying the foundation for stronger bilateral relations in the years to come.

SFC Markets and Finance: First of all, would you like to share your comments on China-Fiji educational cooperation and what results have been achieved so far?

Elissa Vanawalu: I believe the ongoing educational cooperation between the governments of Fiji and China is very fruitful, especially when we talk about the scholarships that have been given to us. There are a number of students from Fiji who are now in China undertaking further studies under this initiative.

The cooperation from the Fiji government is going on well, and when we look at our counterparts from China, we truly appreciate how they have given us the privilege to go and study there. I believe some of the students have already completed their studies, while others are still in China working hard to finish theirs.

The partnership between the two countries is very meaningful. We in Fiji are very grateful whenever we are given the opportunity to study in China.

When we talk about education in Fiji, we are still a developing country. We need a lot of support from our counterparts, from big countries like China, to help us make the most of these opportunities—especially for further studies in fields that are not offered at our local universities.

For that, I would like to say again, thank you very much for the offer and the opportunity. Hopefully, this cooperation will continue in the years to come, so that our bilateral relations between the two countries—especially in the field of education—will grow stronger and stronger.

SFC Markets and Finance: Are there any ongoing projects between Fiji under China?

Elissa Vanawalu: There are a lot of projects that are currently underway. One of the main ones is the $300 million project which will cover the construction of roads in Vanua Levu.

What we were told in our last sitting in Parliament is that the project will commence in December, at the end of this year, with the launching ceremony. We are looking forward to this major project. The funding is being provided by the Chinese side, and the contractor—the Chinese team—will carry out the road construction.

It is quite a huge project, a $300 million Fijian project for road upgrading, apart from other major projects from China to Fiji. The Government of Fiji has been very responsive when it comes to these projects. I believe there are many that are currently ongoing.

When we talk about our solar system projects, especially for rural communities, people are really benefiting from them, and the work is still continuing. When we talk about infrastructure, particularly the roads already mentioned, there are also other areas such as our water systems where projects are underway, and other sectors beyond education—the one we have just discussed.

SFC Markets and Finance: How popular is Chinese language learning in Fiji?

Elissa Vanawalu: For learning the Chinese language here in Fiji, I believe the University of the South Pacific is offering a program in which they have engaged people who understand Chinese—I am not sure whether they are locals or from China—to teach at the University of the South Pacific.

On that note, the basic Chinese language training supported by the Fiji government is currently being implemented at universities. Sometimes, before students receive scholarships to study in China, they are required to go through this program so that it becomes part of their preparation for further studies in China.

At present, the University of the South Pacific is running this program, and to answer your question, the program has been going well so far.

SFC Markets and Finance: Do you know there's a school named Yat Sen school?

Elissa Vanawalu: Yes. I remember it has been there for quite some time, mostly for our Chinese brothers and sisters—that is their school. But most of their programs abide by the Fiji syllabus.

When it comes to education from primary to secondary levels, to my understanding, they also teach Chinese for students who are interested in going through the program. The school provides courses from kindergarten, primary, to secondary levels.

SFC Markets and Finance: What role do you see these Chinese language schools play in promoting cultural exchange?

Elissa Vanawalu: When we talk about cultural exchange, and when we talk about understanding the Chinese language, let me explain that we receive a lot of Chinese tourists coming through our borders to Fiji.

As part of that effort, the government is undertaking initiatives, such as designating certain areas where Chinese is a priority, because most of the visitors do not understand English. During this exchange, many Fijian people are actively learning Chinese to participate, taking lead roles such as acting as tour guides when tourists arrive in Fiji.

A large number of Chinese tourists come from mainland cities to Fiji to enjoy their stay, often staying in local hotels. Allowing universities to offer Chinese courses creates opportunities for Fijians to engage with the tourism industry and other sectors, which we see as important. For the people of Fiji, learning Chinese is essential to accommodate all these visitors—whether they are tourists, people coming for visits, or participants in exchange programs with other countries. This is where understanding and being able to speak Chinese really matters.

SFC Markets and Finance: Have you ever been to China? And what are your impressions of China?

Elissa Vanawalu: We went to China last year. There was a team of about seven of us. It was a real eye-opener, and we learned a lot during our visit.

When you talk about the modern world, in Fiji we still have to walk from point A to point B, but in China, everything is very fast. In terms of development, and in terms of understanding the importance of using modern technologies in the digital era we live in, they are really far ahead of us.

During the exchange program in China, we learned a lot about development, infrastructure, education, and even the health systems, which were all very interesting. We even took a trip south on the bullet train—it was very fast, and it was our first time boarding one.

China itself is a developing country, but looking at it as a whole, the experience was extremely valuable. We really enjoyed our stay and learning, especially the cultural exchange. The people are very respectful, and we admire how they do things.

SFC Markets and Finance: What lessons can Fiji learn from China's education?

Elissa Vanawalu: For learning, in terms of what we can learn, we are looking forward to improvements in our syllabus. We hope that China can provide some support, such as E-learning. E-learning is still new to us, and we haven’t yet acquired the expertise. We are looking abroad to countries where E-learning is already established as a must, so that we can learn from their systems.

Another important area we discussed, which was part of our meeting with the Chinese Embassy, is our TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) section. We need support from China in establishing vocational centers, because of the many school dropouts. These are the people we need to help get back to school.

SFC Markets and Finance: Guangdong has close ties with the South Pacific. What role can Guangdong play in China-Fiji education?

Elissa Vanawalu: We are willing, whatever is given to us, and we are ready to take the cue from there. As I’ve said, we are really in need of all these things. When we are given the opportunity, it will be great for us to implement these initiatives here in Fiji, which will help our own population as well as the Chinese community living here.

We are always looking forward to whatever China can offer or provide to us, whether in terms of education or other major projects, like the ones I have already mentioned. We are always ready and welcoming.

SFC Markets and Finance: Youth is the future. How will the youth exchange promoting China-Fiji education relation?

Elissa Vanawalu: When you talk about exchanges between China and Fiji, I am optimistic. Say, in five years’ time, we should be on par when it comes to understanding: the Chinese understanding Fijian customs and how we do things, and likewise, the Fijian people understanding how the Chinese value their culture, upbringing, and their strong work ethic.

So the partnership in five years’ time should involve a lot of learning, significant improvement, and a close examination of areas where we are lacking. I am talking about support services, because remember, we are still underdeveloped, while China is far ahead in business, project management, health, education, and infrastructure.

From where we are now, we are doing okay. When it comes to relationships between governments, and how best they integrate in areas such as AIDS prevention or major projects in Fiji, in five years’ time we should be on the path to fully benefiting from the strengths of both countries.

This includes exchanges in culture, trade, and other collaborative areas, as well as education, scholarship funds, and other initiatives that will continue to be promoted.

SFC Markets and Finance: So in what areas can two countries enhance cooperation in the future?

Elissa Vanawalu: Currently, Fiji is working on one of our main revenue-driven sectors, which is the tourism industry. When we talk about tourists, the current government is focused on developing the second largest island, which we call Vanua Levu.

We want to develop our infrastructure, upgrade our airport to an international standard, and improve our ports of entry to facilitate exchanges. We also aim to develop what they call “blue towns and blue cities.” Once these projects are completed by the government, we will be able to start building tourist destinations, including hotels, infrastructure, and roads. This development will attract more tourists to Fiji, as tourism is currently our number one source of revenue.

We need support for all of these initiatives. These are not simple projects—they are major undertakings. Currently, Vanua Levu does not have an international airport, but if we upgrade it, large aircraft will be able to fly directly to Vanua Levu, not only to Nadi.

SFC Markets and Finance: How about education?

Elissa Vanawalu: Education is very interesting. Currently, when we talk about education in Fiji, most of our students are studying abroad—some on scholarships, some as interns, and others on work visas. Education plays a very critical role in Fiji. Out of the government’s budget, education receives the highest allocation.

We believe that once we have our education system in place, with the right resources and qualified teachers, we can cultivate the future leaders of Fiji. This is how we value education, just as we value the support provided by the Chinese government through scholarships. Developing education is essential, and we are working to take it to the next level.

When it comes to support in education, we really need partners who can help us go beyond our current scope and elevate our system to the next level, because in Fiji, resources are limited. We are very grateful for the help, especially from the Chinese Embassy and other countries like Japan, for providing scholarships. These well-educated individuals will return to Fiji, and in the context of labor shortages and scarce resources, they are the ones who will help raise the standard of development in the country.

Whether in the private sector, government agencies, utilities, resource management, or departments like forestry and fisheries, we need these experts to return home and contribute. Their return on investment, by coming back to work in Fiji, will help the country move forward.

Chief Producer: Zhao Haijian

Supervising Producer: Shi Shi

Editor: He Jia

Reporter: Shi Shi, Li Yinong

Video Editor: Cai Yutian

Videographer: Xiao Hang

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