Mainland, Hong Kong student volunteers join Vanuatu's Independence Day celebrations

Amid joyful music and vibrant performances, Vanuatu celebrated the country's 45th Independence Day on July 30 with an official ceremony in the capital Port Vila.

The Independence Day is a public holiday that marks the country's freedom from the United Kingdom and France on July 30, 1980. China officially established diplomatic relations with Vanuatu in 1982.

The ceremony at the Independence Park was joined by top government leaders, including Vanuatu President Nikenike Vurobaravu and Prime Minister Jotham Napat. Officials and foreign diplomats, including Chinese Ambassador Li Minggang, also attended the event.

The ceremony also saw the participation of 60 people, including nearly 20 student volunteers from the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong, from the GX Foundation.

Led by the GX Foundation, which is based in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, they are in Vanuatu for humanitarian aid projects such as the control of dengue fever and the distribution of disaster preparedness kits.

"The participation by students from the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong reflect the increasingly deepened relationship between China and Vanuatu," said Leung Chun-ying, vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and chairman of the nongovernmental organization GX Foundation.

Leung said he hopes the foundation's projects can contribute to people-to-people connectivity and mutual understanding between the two countries.

Wearing the vibrant colors of red, green, black and yellow, the same colors of the Vanuatu flag, people of all ages and all groups gathered as early as 5 am for the parade and flag raising ceremony.

Tele Samuelu, 35, told China Daily that the infrastructure of Vanuatu has improved over the past decades, with the support from the international community, including China.

"There are a lot of projects that the Chinese government has helped Vanuatu, so … (I want to say) Xie Xie … it is good for the Vanuatu people," said Samuelu, using the Chinese phrase of thank you.

Harry Atisson, 55, said he has been participating in all national Independence Day celebrations since 1980.

"Every year we celebrate this special event. Not just in Port Vila, but across the 83 islands," Atisson told China Daily.

Atisson said China's support to Vanuatu, ranging from infrastructure to healthcare and business, has made the life of the local people more convenient.

"China is giving us a lot of support to help with the infrastructure," said Atisson. "We want to thank the Chinese government for supporting us and building Vanuatu to another level."