SUVA - Fiji's President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau has highlighted the development of relations between the Pacific island nation and China, saying he has followed the cordial ties over the years.

President Nailatikau made the remarks while recalling his recent visit to China on the occasion of the 26th Summer Universiade in Shenzhen in August, according to a media release by the Ministry of Information on Tuesday.

Nailatikau was quoted as saying that although he had enjoyed his past visits to China, each new visit was an adventure in itself, expressing his gratitude for the opportunity to again meet with Chinese President Hu Jintao in August.

Nailatikau noted that it was a great honor for him to be in China and was happy to be involved with the Universiade games particularly as it involved the participation of the youths of the world.

The organization that China had shown the world during the Beijing Olympics had already guaranteed the success of the 26th Summer Universiade, he added.

The president said that the cordial relations between Fiji and China were built on mutual trust and respect and expressing his deep appreciation for China's strong commitment to maintaining and deepening bilateral relations.

Both China and Fiji have worked on the cordial relationship over the years thus enabling it to stand the test of time and to endure through trying times, he said, adding the Fijian government and the people were ever grateful to the Chinese government and the people for their understanding of the situation in Fiji and for standing by Fiji.

He stressed that Fiji would always uphold the one-China policy.

Nailatikau, meanwhile,thanked China for financial assistance to Fiji, saying the government and the people of Fiji would be overwhelmed by many such assistance that China had made to Fiji in the past particularly from 1975 when the two countries established diplomatic relations.