Beijing: Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged to strengthen ties with Fiji in a world beset with “turmoil” as he met the Pacific island’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka in Beijing on Tuesday.
The meeting underscores China’s growing influence in the South Pacific, a region traditionally dominated by Western powers such as the United States and Australia.
The meeting took place at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People, following Rabuka’s extensive tour of China, which lasted over a week. During their talks, Xi praised the longstanding friendship and cooperation between China and Fiji, emphasizing their role as exemplars of equitable and friendly international relations.
“Our two countries have always supported and helped each other as good friends and partners,” Xi said. “We are committed to building a China-Fiji community with a shared future amid global chaos, and to bringing more benefits to our people.”
Xi also commended Fiji’s recent achievements in sports, particularly its silver medal in rugby at the Paris Olympics.
In response, Rabuka extended an offer for Fiji to send rugby coaches and players to China, aiming to further strengthen cultural and sporting ties between the two nations.
Rabuka, who also met with Premier Li Qiang, highlighted the practical outcomes of his trip, including new agreements on trade, military aid, infrastructure development, and Chinese-language education. Li pledged to increase Chinese imports from Fiji and encourage greater Chinese investment in the island nation.
During his visit, Rabuka praised China’s “tailor-made innovative poverty alleviation strategies” observed in Ningde city, Fujian province. He also reflected positively on a previous meeting between Xi and US President Joe Biden, suggesting it may have contributed to global peace efforts.
The Fijian leader acknowledged China’s role in assisting Fiji during the Covid-19 pandemic, advancing agricultural development, and upgrading infrastructure. He noted that China’s support has been instrumental in various sectors, including the development of Fiji’s ports and shipyards.
China’s growing engagement with Pacific nations has raised concerns among Western countries, particularly after Beijing signed a covert defence pact with the Solomon Islands last year. The agreement fueled fears of a potential Chinese military presence in the region. Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele’s visit to China in June saw a $20 million boost to his country’s budget from Beijing.
