Chinese premier sends congratulations to new Fijian PM

BEIJING -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has congratulated Sitiveni Rabuka on his taking office as Fiji's prime minister.

In his message dated Friday, Li said China and Fiji are good friends, good partners and good brothers who respect each other and pursue common development.

Since the two countries established diplomatic ties 47 years ago, their relations have yielded fruitful outcomes, bringing tangible benefits to the people of the two countries, Li said.

Noting that the Chinese government attaches great importance to the development of bilateral relations, Li said China is ready to work with Fiji to continuously expand friendly exchanges and mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields, and lift China-Fiji comprehensive strategic partnership to a higher level so as to benefit the two countries and their people.