China has expressed no interest in engaging in geopolitical competition, according to Zhou Jian, the Chinese ambassador to Fiji. His remarks came during a news briefing following Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s recent trip to China, where he discussed the geopolitical situation in the Pacific.
Zhou emphasized that China does not pressure nations to align with its interests, stating, “We never impose our systems upon you.” He advocated for the Pacific island nations to be a zone of cooperation rather than a battleground for power dynamics.
“We have no interest in geopolitics. We have no interest in seeking so-called spheres of influence,” Zhou said. He suggested that if competition were to occur, it should focus on who could better assist Pacific nations with infrastructure development and improving their citizens’ livelihoods.
As a country within the Global South, Zhou expressed a commitment to aiding fellow nations in their development. He encouraged increased investment from other countries in essential services such as education and healthcare, as well as infrastructure projects like bridges and roads.
“We are pleased to see other nations investing more in this region. We hope to see continuous investments to foster better development and economic improvement,” he remarked. Zhou concluded by advocating for collective efforts to reject geopolitical rivalry.