Source: World Wide Web
On August 8, local time, the Reserve Bank of Fiji (RBF) issued a Chinese-style 88 Fiji commemorative banknote, and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported on the 10th that RBF's move caused controversy, and "many people questioned the timing and significance of the release of the commemorative banknote." But there are also voices that say the matter should not be politicized.
ABC first introduced in the report that the denomination of this commemorative banknote and the time of release are related to the number 8, which is considered a lucky number in Chinese culture and can bring wealth and good luck. On one side of the commemorative banknote is a pattern of the god of wealth and the money tree, who holds a banner that reads "Wishing you prosperity" next to a coin with the words "Fortune into Treasure". The other side of the banknote is printed with a Fuso flower, the emblem of Fiji and the signature of the Governor of the Reserve Bank of Fiji. The note is non-circulating and is priced at $28 Fijian dollars (about 87 yuan).
The ABC claims that RBF's move sparked controversy on social media, with voices questioning why Chinese-style commemorative banknotes were being issued at a time when "China's growing influence in the Pacific has sparked diplomatic tensions." RBF then issued a statement saying that the commemorative banknotes were issued to target the Chinese and broader Asian markets for enthusiasts to purchase and collect. In the past, RBF has also issued commemorative banknotes and coins with themes such as Christmas, celebrities, landmarks, Fijian animals and more, ABC said.
But Prasad, the leader of Fiji's opposition, argues that commemorative banknotes are often issued with a specific purpose, "to commemorate important events between the two countries, sometimes of international significance". He claimed that the controversy revolved around the question of what the commemorative banknote "commemorates." De La Rue, a British company involved in the design and production of the commemorative banknote, said it was issued to express the blessings of good fortune to people in a difficult time.
Naisso, a Fijian currently living in Australia, told ABC that in her view, the commemorative banknote was an affirmation of the local Chinese community, "We have a very vibrant and diverse Chinese community in Fiji". Nesso has asked his family to help buy commemorative banknotes. Another Australian National University professor told ABC that the matter should not be politicized and that the issuance of the commemorative banknote was only a symbol of Fiji's economic cooperation with China.