China Will Boost Our National Archives
China will assist the National Archives of Fiji in terms of training, improving its technological services preserving archives and the Digital Continuity Unit.
The Chinese Ambassador to Fiji Qian Bo made this assurance during a tour of the National Archives yesterday.
Mr Qian said the purpose of the visit was to learn the work of the National Archives and also to explore the possibility of future cooperation.
“I’m happy to learn that this archive is open to the general public. I’m also happy to learn the National Archives is also helping other countries in the region in their work in preserving the national history and cultural heritage,” he said.
“We are happy that our Chinese community immigrated to Fiji 160 years ago and they are doing quite well and more importantly they have integrated with the mainstream of this country and are living happily in Fiji.
“We will assist in terms of the training of staff, how to improve the technology in terms of preserving the archives and the digital continuity unit, this is really a trend that we can work on.” He said Fiji was already doing a great job in the region and they could help do more by empowering the National Archives in terms of manpower, technology and finance.
Mr Qian said this was the 45th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between China and Fiji.
“We are now working with the Government of Fiji and people to build a comprehensive strategic partnership featuring mutual respect and common development.”
Heritage and Culture director, Collin Yabaki, thanked the Chinese Embassy for the assistance. “We are looking forward to learning more from China about the preservation of the archives,” he said.
Senior archivist Arieta Buliruarua said about 65 per cent of archival photographs have been digitised; and about 40 per cent of historical audio-visual collection were digitised.
The National Archives has five units;
■ Library and Research room
■ Digital continuity
■ Preservation
■ Archives advisory and
■ Records management
About National Archives
The National Archives was established in 1954 as the Central Archives of Fiji and the Western Pacific High Commission after several decades of intermittent proposals from interested individuals.
Less than a year after Fiji attained Independence the National Archives of Fiji formally came into being with an amendment of the Public Records Ordinance in July 1971.