Stepping into the home of Guan Weixiong in Suva, Fiji, one is immediately greeted by a strong sense of Lingnan culture. In the small courtyard in front of the house, various flowers commonly seen in Guangdong gently sway in the breeze, competing for beauty. Inside the living room, the warm wooden color of the furniture complements the exquisite Chinese calligraphy works on the walls, creating an elegant and interesting atmosphere.
Originating from Guangdong, Guangzhou, Guan was once a renowned Cantonese chef in Fiji in the 1990s. He later ventured into business, real estate, and other fields, achieving remarkable success. Nowadays, he serves as the President of the Fiji-China Economic and Trade Promotion Association, devoting himself to promoting economic and trade cooperation and cultural exchanges between Fiji and China.
During an interview with GDToday, Guan sincerely expressed, "We are very fortunate to live in this era because we have a powerful ancestral country. Seeing the strength of our ancestral country, we feel genuinely pleased because we are closely interconnected. I hope our ancestral country will become more beautiful and powerful, playing a greater role on the international stage."
The highest-paid Cantonese chef in Fiji
In 1992, young and ambitious Guan, driven by the desire to alleviate his family's burdens and carve out a career, resigned from his stable job in China and chose to venture abroad. At that time, the concept of foreign countries was relatively vague for him, and Fiji, which seemed "more economical" among many choices, unexpectedly became his life's turning point.
Before leaving the country, Guan was already an experienced Cantonese chef. He had successfully obtained a third-level chef certificate and honed his culinary skills at the famous Guangzhou Aiqun Restaurant, gaining valuable work experience for seven or eight years. Upon arriving in Fiji, with his solid cooking skills, he naturally returned to his old profession and quickly stood out.
"At that time, I was the highest-paid chef," Guan proudly recalled. "Chinese cuisine, especially Cantonese cuisine, is quite popular among foreigners. When professional chefs like us arrive, it feels like we're making a splash."
At that time, Guan's most famous dish was braised eggplant. "When I was a chef in Guangzhou, my signature dish was braised eggplant. I would coat the eggplant in egg batter, slice it, deep-fry it, and then add a decorative garnish. Many Fijians loved this dish for its delicate preparation."
Through his cooking, Guan gradually gained insights into the overseas spread of Cantonese cuisine. He believes that when a chef first arrives in a new place, their primary task is to understand and cater to the local taste. Therefore, he carefully observed, learned, and combined his culinary insights to create new dishes that fused Cantonese and local cuisine. "Only by doing so can we better cater to the local taste and promote our Cantonese cuisine culture."
Promoting China-Fiji economic and trade exchanges with unwavering efforts
With a determination to make a name for himself, Guan Weixiong had a clear plan for his career development in Fiji. After his brief experience in the culinary industry, he believed that a more grounded profession would allow him to better understand the practical needs of the local people. Thus, he and his wife began operating a supermarket. Over time, their business ventures expanded, even venturing into commodity wholesale and real estate.
In recent years, Guan has served as the President of the Fiji-China Economic and Trade Promotion Association, focusing on planning economic and cultural cooperation between Fiji and China, especially Guangdong. In May of this year, he led a delegation to visit Heyuan and Zhaoqing to introduce the situation of overseas Chinese in Fiji and industrial development, exploring specific cooperation opportunities under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative.
In Guan's view, China and Fiji have vast cooperation potential in tourism, fisheries, and commodity trade. He believes that Fiji boasts unique island scenery and rich tourism resources, while China has a vast consumer market. Through more promotional channels, the two sides can further deepen exchanges in the tourism industry.
In addition, Guan Weixiong is planning to introduce more high-quality products made in China and Guangdong to Fiji. "Since 2002, Fiji has used a large number of Chinese products. From daily necessities to electrical appliances and small hardware, many goods are imported from China. Products from China, whether in appearance or price, are generally cost-effective, and the local people have witnessed this with their own eyes, creating a significant demand. I am very optimistic about this field."
"No matter where we grow, China is our root"
The overseas dissemination of Chinese culture has always been a mission that Guan holds dear. He chose to start with his own family, passing down this profound cultural heritage to the next generation. Under his careful guidance, his children have been familiar with Tang poetry, practiced calligraphy, and can speak fluent Cantonese and Mandarin since childhood.
"This is one of my firm beliefs," Guan said. "I insist that my children learn about Chinese culture. We have a profound and extensive history and culture dating back 5,000 years, which is invaluable spiritual wealth. I believe that no matter where we grow, China is our root. I often impress this point on my children."
Besides preserving and transmitting Chinese culture within his family, Guan is also enthusiastic about promoting and spreading Chinese culture within the Fijian community. In his view, doing the utmost to promote Chinese culture overseas and build a bridge for cultural exchanges between Fiji and China is a mission for overseas Chinese who are striving abroad.
According to Guan, as the friendly exchanges between the Chinese government and the Fijian government have become closer in recent years, the local people of Fiji have developed a friendly attitude towards Chinese people, and their recognition of Chinese culture has gradually increased. Under Guan's organization, the local Chinese and overseas Chinese community has held Chinese chess, badminton, and table tennis competitions, and invited Chinese martial arts masters to Fiji to teach locals kung fu.
Apart from emphasizing the overseas spread of Chinese culture, Guan also places great importance on caring for and supporting his fellow Chinese in Fiji. He expressed that whenever he recalls the difficulties he experienced when he first arrived in Fiji, he is deeply grateful to the Chinese friends who helped him during the toughest times. "At that time, we were unfamiliar with the place, had no friends or relatives, and many Chinese helped us during our most difficult times. Now that we have some ability, we also hope to help some newcomers."
In legal matters and various issues, Guan has provided great support and assistance to new immigrants. He knows that life is not easy for Chinese people in a foreign country, as they face challenges in language, culture, and law. Therefore, he uses his resources and experience to provide legal advice and assistance in handling various affairs for his fellow Chinese, helping them better adapt to and integrate into the local society.
Guan stated that his ultimate goal is to better safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese people in Fiji, which is the original intention and mission of him as a leader of overseas Chinese and the direction he has been striving for. He hopes that through his efforts, the lives of Chinese people in Fiji will become better and more secure.
Reporter | Abby
Video | Leo
Poster | Mia
Editor | Nan, James
