SUVA, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- Fijian Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama on Monday thanked China for the cash donation for the relief work in the South Pacific Island state that was partly hit by the recent tropical cyclone Gita.

While briefing Chinese Ambassador to Fiji Qian Bo on the latest development of the relief work in the island state, Bainimarama said that on behalf of the Fijian government and the victims of the southern Lau Group where more than 30 homes and crops had been seriously damaged, he thanked the Chinese side for the cash donation at such an important time when Fiji urgently needs assistance for the relief work.

For his part, Qian Bo, who presented the cheque to the prime minister, said that the Chinese embassy in Fiji is very much concerned about the damage and the suffering caused by the tropical cyclone Gita, and decides to donate 100,000 Fijian dollars (about 49,630 U.S. dollars ) in cash for the relief work of the cyclone-affected areas in Fiji, this fully reflects the profound friendship between the two peoples and the strategic partnership of mutual respect and common development between the two countries.

The Chinese ambassador also hoped that the cyclone-affected areas can have a speedy recovery.

The Chinese embassy here is the first to pledge the cash donation after the cyclone hit Fiji.

Tropical cyclone Gita last Tuesday brought winds of up to 275 km per hour and heavy rain across Ono-I-Lau and Vatoa, Fiji's southernmost islands, knocking out communications and causing damages, but Fiji's most populated center escaped serious harm as the tropical cyclone passed south of Suva, Fiji's capital.

In 2016, Fiji was also hit by tropical cyclone Winston, which killed 44 persons and caused extensive damages in the island state. As Fiji's good friend, China also provided emergency humanitarian aid to the island state.