Chinese Immigration to Fiji
Production of Tomatoes for Sydney Market
Written for The Pacific Islands Monthly by C. L. Ching, Chinese Consul in Suva.
THE establishment of the Chinese Consulate in Suva is merely another step for ward in the mater iahsmg of a scheme, approved last year by the National Government of the Republic of China, to increase the number of legations and consulates abroad, with a view to keeping closer touch with the many thousands of Chinese citizens re
siding away from their Homeland.
The Chinese diplomatic service is comparatively young, for it was only 80 years ago that the Opium War was fought and China began to have her first real contact with the outside world. Even after the gradual open ing of the treaty ports of China, the Manchu Government were reluctant to send their representatives abroad to be accredited to foreign governments, although Chinese emigrants were leav ing the country in large numbers.
The inherent weakness of the Man chu Government was soon evident.
China’s defeat at the hands of Britain during the Opium War began a series of military and diplomatic disasters which continued right on even after the overthrow of the Manchu Govern ment by a gradually awakening people, and it did not cease until the ascend ancy of the Kuo Min Tang was de finitely established.
At home concessions had been wrested by the Powers from the helpless and disinterested officials, who cared neither for the welfare of the country or the people. Abroad our immigrants had to put up with the discriminatory legation enacted by governments who were quick to realise the weakness of a corrupt regime at home, and numer ous were the indignities that Chinese suffered.
In 1928 a new era in Chinese history began. The Kuo Min Tang (Nation alist Party) had succeeded in unifying China under a strong Government with the capital in Nanking. New treaties, based on equality and reciprocity, were negotiated with the European
What is to be the respective parts of the four communities —Europeans, Fijians, Indians and Chinese—in the future de velopment of rich and prosperous Fiji?
In 1921 there were only 900 Chinese in Fiji. To-day there are nearly 1,500. They control a large proportion of the small store trade, and they are energetically ex tending their agricultural activities. They are building up a valuable export trade in tomatoes.
A Chinese Consul, Mr. Ching, a clever, well-educated man, has now taken up his residence in Suva. In this article, which he has kindly supplied, Mr. Ching gives some indication of the probable future con nection of the Chinese with Fijian develop ment.
Powers and America while a great num ber of unilateral provisions of the old ones were ab rogated. The new Government consis ted of active, hon est and patriotic men, who set very earnestly about the complicated task of construction. A de finite foreign policy was formed which provided for the adequate protection of oversea Chin ese nationals. The consular service was
to be re-organised, more consulates established and trade commissioners sent abroad.
The story of Chinese immigration in Fiji is but a repetition on a small scale, perhaps, of that of Chinese in other countries. The first immigrants were usually hard-working labourers who were utilised to do the pioneering and developmental works. As soon as the arduous part of the pioneering was complete, they found that they were not so wslcome.
In Fiji, we find that from amongst the more enterprising of the first arrivals, as they became settled down, small traders sprang up, and some of these gradually built up fairly large businesses which, in the end, were staffed with intellectual Chinese who were introduced from China.
Chinese agriculturists in the Colony utilise much ground that otherwise would go to waste, even in such close proximity to Tamavua. The fact that Chinese market gardeners throughout the whole world are responsible for a constant and abundant supply of cheap vegetables is recognised by all Europeans who, I feel sure, agree that no other race would be capable of doing the same.
Since my arrival in Fiji, I have in duced several of the large gardeners to export their tomatoes for the Sydney market; and I have reason to believe that in a short time the tomato busi ness will develop into a very import ant phase of the Colony’s export
trade, which may help to recoup for the lost banana business with Aus tralia. Other projects are also under consideration.
The inherent respect of the Chinese people for established law and order is proverbial, and lawlessness among our people is very rare. But, notwith standing this, and the creditable part they have contributed to the building up of the prosperity of the Colony,
many disabilities were placed on them.
Happily, the present Government is most sympathetic and, following a re cent visit of the Consul-General, Mr.
Fartsung T. Sung, to Suva, many of these disabilities were removed, and the recognition of the qualities of our people as useful and law-abiding citi zens was placed on record.