BEIJING: A Chinese Customs delegation, headed by the Vice Minister Customs, Sun Yibiao, visited the Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority and met with Chief Exective, Jitoko Tikolevu, and other senior executive officials.
Fiji expects to have a stronger relationship and co-operation with China customs following a meeting held in Fiji the past week.
Mr Tikolevu noted the visit as an honour as it was the first visit by a high ranking Chinese Government official to the authority.
“We discussed various issues and how we can improve the relationship between FRCA and Chinese customs,” he said.
“We are grateful the Minister had also expressed strong sentiments in improving the relationship between the two organisations.”
Mr Yibiao stated during the meeting that despite the different sizes of the customs administrations in the world, all had the common interest of protecting the borders.
He added customs administrations were part of a big family and that each must respect and learn from each other.
Mr Yibiao extended his Government’s invitation to Mr Tikolevu to visit China in the second quarter of this year.
This visit is expected to cement the issues discussed last week through the signing of an assistance agreement.
Mr Yibiao also made a commitment to assist FRCA in developing its human resources as well as providing training opportunities for Fiji customs officers.
“We can have exchange experiences where we will learn from each other,” Mr Yibiao said.
The delegation also visited the Australia and New Zealand Customs before coming to Fiji.
In Australia, he met with the chief executive of the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service and in New Zealand, Mr Yibiao met with the New Zealand Comptroller of Customs.
