SUVA, Nov. 10 (Xinhua) -- The Fiji-China Friendship Association (FCFA) has a new president, the Fijian government announced Monday.

Rosy Sofia Akbar, Fiji's minister for women, children and poverty alleviation, has officially been handed over the president 's position by Jiko Luveni, who is now speaker of the South Pacific island country's unicameral parliament, the Department of Information said in a statement.

Luveni said it was a privilege to have served as the president of the association.

"I convey heartfelt thanks to the board of trustees of Fiji- China Friendship Association for giving me the opportunity to have served as the president of this noble association. We have a constitution in place that guides the work of the association. The members of this trustee are the representatives of the organizations such as Chinese Association of Fiji, Fiji-China Business Council, Chinese Youth Social and Cultural Association- Fiji and Chinese Education Society of Fiji," Luveni said.

"We capitalize on the networks of these associations to increase cooperation between Fiji and China in areas of bilateral trade and friendship. I wish the new president all the best in carrying forward the visions of the Fiji-China Friendship Association," she added.

Akbar, the new president of the association said she looks forward to her new role.

"In my capacity as the new president for Fiji-China Friendship and also the minister for women, children and poverty alleviation, I will ensure that this association continues to grow and strengthens links between Fiji and China. We are committed to promoting public forums and discussions to broaden opportunities in areas of cultural, economic and trade relations between Fiji and China," she said, "I look forward for the support from the board of trustees and can assure you of the ministry's full support to achieve the objectives of Fiji-China Friendship Association."

The Fiji-China Friendship Association was established in February 2012 to strengthen bilateral exchanges between Fiji and China in areas of poverty reduction, culture, sports, women in development and right up to corporate level on trade and investment.