Envoy expresses security concerns

SECURITY problems such as robberies tend to increase during the festive season, some Chinese nationals and enterprises have suffered severe economic losses and some have expressed concern about increasing threats to their personal security.

This was the view expressed by Chinese Ambassador to Fiji Qian Bo during an exchange forum on public security in Suva.

The meeting was held in partnership with the Fiji Police Force, the Chinese Embassy in Fiji, Chinese community in Suva and the Overseas Chinese Service Centre in Fiji.

Mr Qian said the forum was an opportunity to network and address concerns raised by members of Fiji’s Chinese community.

“Ensuring the safety of Chinese citizens and institutions in Fiji is always one of the key responsibilities of the embassy,” he said.

“Like the previous years, public security problems such as robberies tend to increase during festivities and some Chinese nationals and enterprises have suffered severe economic loss and expressed worries about increasing threats to their personal security.”

Police Commissioner Brigadier General Sitiveni Qiliho said he appreciated the feedback and frank discussions held and acknowledged the areas of improvement needed in their service delivery.

“We acknowledge and share the concerns raised in as far as the investigations and service delivery and we hope that this forum will assist us in strengthening our working relations for the increased sense of security that we all desire,” he said.

“We value the Chinese community’s contribution to Fiji’s economy and we understand that the issues raised by your members need to be addressed and I encourage us all to communicate issues of concern so they can be addressed immediately.”