Chinese cultural center in Fiji leverages online activities

Regular patrons of a China Cultural Center in Fiji are delighted at the resumption of its activities following disruption caused by the recent COVID-19 outbreak. "We really love Chinese culture and look forward to experiencing all it has to offer once more," said one of the Fijians who visits the center and has been participating in some of the center's online cultural activities.

Sun Jie, director of the China Cultural Center in Fiji, told Xinhua recently that the COVID-19 has had serious impact on the center's culture activities, but they have been doing what they can to promote Chinese culture during these currently challenging times.

"China has a profound culture with a long history, and here in this South Pacific island nation, they love Chinese culture and are eager to experience it," he said.

"The COVID-19 crisis is unprecedented, but we have no choice but to adjust to the 'new normal' and do something to continue our cultural promotion."

According to Sun, they have been trying to use multimedia platforms, namely online courses, to introduce Chinese cultural activities.

On the eve of the International Children's Day, the center worked together with Kunming Museum in Southwest China's Yunnan province to introduce the Portrait of the Earth exhibition through Facebook and WeChat, which proved to be a hit.

The vivid portraits of animals brought great happiness to children who had to stay at home due to the virus.

The center also cooperated with the International School Suva to let the students in grades 6 to 10, most of which have never been to China, to participate in an online Chinese culture course.

"I really enjoyed the online tour because it was really exciting, fun and something new that I have never done before," said Rohan Zia Ludher, one of the school's students.

Echoing Ludher's views, Prasiddhi Dahal said, "It was amazing and it was really fun to learn about Chinese culture. I hope that one day I can go there in person."

Another student Almira Zoya Haniff said, "The experience was really good and we learnt a lot of new things. I really enjoyed it and I think we should do more activities like this."

Sun said that this year, the CELAP(China Executive Leadership Academy Pudong) senior training course for Fijian civil servants was carried out online through the center.

During the three-day online course, more than 20 Fijian officials from different ministries, the Prime Minister's Office and the nation's parliament also enjoyed Chinese movies, a painting exhibition, books, Chinese tea, table tennis and Tai Chi.

Most of them have not visited China before, but as a result of the activities expressed a keen desire to do so once the pandemic is under control globally and international travel is once again possible.

"I have got a lot from the course. All of us have enjoyed the cultural tour at the center. We hope we will have more chance to attend the activities here in the future," said Saleshni Naidu, director for training at a division of Fiji's Ministry of Civil Service and who has been to China twice.

With the relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions, the center is once again open to the public and there is a film showing every Saturday, an event which is popular with local Fijians.

Shirine Wazni, a 44-year-old Fijian woman, told Xinhua that "I am very interested in Chinese culture, its art, the martial arts, the paintings, food and of course the Chinese movies, which are touching, but fun and make us both cry and laugh."

Malakni Biu, a 70-year-old security guard, said, "I like the Chinese culture very much. The movies they show here are quite moving."

Chinese Ambassador to Fiji, Qian Bo, has voiced his satisfaction with the online Chinese cultural promotion platform.

"COVID-19 has changed the way we work, study and live. From now on, we all have to learn how to adjust to the 'new normal'. Online Chinese culture courses and experiences are no doubt useful," he told Xinhua.

Hailing it as a great success, the ambassador, who also attended the CELAP senior training course for Fijian civil servants, hopes the Fijians will do what they can to strengthen the friendly cooperative relations between Fiji and China.

Xinhua