Tagicakibau Manasa Ralawa, Fiji ambassador to China, is interviewed at the International Conference on Food Loss and Waste in Jinan, capital of Shandong province on Sept 11. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

"We would like to see relations between Shandong province and Fiji grow stronger in the future, more people-to-people exchanges, and more sharing of information," said Tagicakibau Manasa Ralawa, Fiji ambassador to China, during an interview at the International Conference on Food Loss and Waste held in Jinan on Sept 11.

The traditional practice of preserving food shared by Fiji and China provides a solution for preventing food loss and waste. “While humans are moving into the modern world, information technology and mechanization are also very important to Fiji. It needs the cooperation with China," according to Tagicakibau.

It is important to minimize food loss and waste in different stages of the food supply chain spanning raw material, production, farming, storage, distribution, transportation, and finally consumption. Food loss especially occurs in the initial stage, while food waste usually occurs in the last stage. What Fiji tries to do is to minimize food loss and waste in these stages.

Tagicakibau said that China has valuable experiences it can share with the world. As such, this conference is timely and provides a platform for people from different countries to share their ideas for the benefit of humanity.

The world is a global community with a shared future. "China does not speak, China's intention is noble to reach out to the world, to assist, and to help," said Tagicakibau.

As Jinan is famous for its springs and Fiji is surrounded by the sea, Tagicakibau said that he feels at home in the city. "People in Jinan are warm, friendly, and hospitable. We were warmly greeted here. We will come back again as Jinan is such a beautiful city," said Tagicakibau. "I tell my colleagues, China does not need the world, the world needs China."