by Tusi Tala, Staff Writer
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka wrapped up his 10-day visit to China this week, praising the “remarkable progress” made by the country under President Xi Jinping.
Rabuka joins other Pacific leaders, such as Jeremiah Manele from Solomon Islands, Charlot Salwai from Vanuatu, and David Adeang from Nauru, who have also recently been welcomed by Beijing.
During his trip, Rabuka met with both President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang.
He reaffirmed the one-China principle, emphasizing Fiji’s serious commitment to its relationship with China, particularly noting that Beijing has remained a steadfast partner during times when traditional allies distanced themselves following coups in 1987, 2000, and 2006.
President Xi expressed his support for Rabuka’s vision of a ‘zone of peace.’
The two nations issued a 17-point joint statement, which outlined plans to enhance interactions across various levels, expand exchanges among their legislatures and local governments, share governance and development experiences, and deepen political trust.
The visit, which precedes the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting (PIFLM) in Tonga next week, aimed to strengthen the longstanding partnership between Fiji and China. The Fiji government emphasized its commitment to enhancing bilateral relations and exploring mutually beneficial opportunities in areas such as poverty reduction, infrastructure development, and trade.
Rabuka noted that Fiji could learn valuable lessons from China’s approach to alleviating poverty, stating, “China’s journey demonstrates that with the right strategies, it’s possible to improve lives and lift people out of extreme poverty. Fiji has much to learn from this success.”
