Fiji's Prime Minister says the country will remove the Union Jack from its flag and replace it with a design that symbolises the Pacific nation, not former colonial power Britain.
Frank Bainimarama said the flag had served the country well since independence in 1970 but is now outdated.
Fiji's flag is light blue with the Union Jack in the top left corner.
Fiji flag Photo: Free google search image
Prime Minister Bainimarama says the new flag should reflect Fiji's position in the world today as a modern and truly independent nation state.
He also suggested other images on the flag, including a shield with the cross of St George and a British lion, along with sugar cane, bananas, a palm tree and a dove of peace, had little to do with modern Fiji.
The Prime Minister says a national competition to design a new flag will be held, with the aim of hoisting it on October 11 this year, the 45th anniversary of independence.