From February 19 to 24, 2023, Dr. Yok Yee Chan, Consul General of the Republic of Fiji in Shanghai traveled to Guangzhou and Jiangmen with the Consulate officials for business inspection. The purpose of the visit was to explore investment and trade opportunities so as to continue strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries.

Dr. Chan paid a courtesy visit to the Bureau of China International SME Fair and was warmly received by the Deputy Director of the Secretariat of CISMEF Organizing Committee and Director General of Guangdong SME Bureau, Mr.Yang Shupeng, Director General of Bureau of China International SME Fair, Mr.Jiang Shengjun, Deputy Director of Bureau of China International SME Fair. Director General Yang Shupeng warmly welcomed Dr.Chan expressed his appreciation for Fiji's active participation in China International SME Expo, and sincerely invited Fiji to participate in the 18th China International SME Fair to be held in June 2023. Dr.Chan stated that Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) form the backbone of the Fijian economy. And we are appreciated that CISMEF provides a platform for SMEs from both Fiji and China to exchange ideas and conduct business.  

Dr. Chan then traveled to Nansha District in Guangzhou to inspect the construction of the Fiji National Pavilion located in the Nan Sha Bird Bark. The Fiji National Pavilion, as one of the projects of the "One Belt One Road" National Bamboo Expo Culture and Arts Festival, aims to showcase Fiji's cultural and tourism arts and local products in the Fiji Pavilion to further promote bilateral exchanges and cooperation between Fiji and China. The main purpose of the visit is to examine the progress of the construction of the Fiji National Pavilion, to discuss how the function of the National Pavilion, and the opening ceremony of the Pavilion. Following was the visit to the Consultative Committee on Guangdong-HongKong Cooperation (Guangzhou Nansha) Service Center to learn about the new policies of Guangzhou Nansha District (Free Trade Zone) and to explore new opportunities for trade, tourism, and cultural exchanges between the two countries.

In Jiangmen, which is the sister city of Lautoka in Fiji, Dr. Chan was warmly received by Tang Meihe, Chairman of Xinhui District Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese. In the margins of the meeting, Dr. Chan and the Consulate official visited the Museum of Ethnic Chinese, Oversea Chinese in Jiangmen City accompanied by Li Qiqian, Vice Chairman of Jiangmen Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese. Both sides expressed that Fijian of Chinese ethnicity, as a bridge of friendship and cooperation between China and Fiji, has an important role in promoting economic and trade exchanges between the two countries. The Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese hopes to give full play to the comprehensive influences of the business communities in Fijian of Chinese ethnicity and strengthen business exchanges and cooperation with Chinese counterparts.

To conclude the trip, Dr. Chan visited several local businesses in Guangdong, including P&T Royal Ware and Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area “Shopping Basket" Exchange/Exhibition (Ansheng) Center, and the businessman all expressed their wish to take business trips to Fiji in the near future, to explore business opportunities and to introduce more premium Fijian products to the Chinese market.