Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka visited the Silk Road Maritime Management Center and the Xiamen International Shipping Science Innovation Center in Xiamen, Fujian Province, yesterday. This visit aligns with his goal to establish Fiji as the Pacific’s hub by enhancing the efficiency and capacity of its ports.
The facilities oversee Xiamen Port, one of China’s most significant coastal ports, which ranks among the top twenty most efficient ports globally. It serves as a vital hub within the national transportation network, a large digitalized container port, a home port for cruise ships, and a trading port across the Taiwan Strait.
Upon arrival, Prime Minister Rabuka and his delegation received a comprehensive overview of the operations at Xiamen Port. The director general of the Xiamen Port Authority, Mr. Xia Changwer, welcomed the Fijian delegation and highlighted the port’s various terminals, which include bulk cargo, container, and specialized facilities for oil and gas.
Xiamen’s port infrastructure features modern container handling equipment and effective customs processes that ensure rapid turnaround times, showcasing the city’s technological advancements.
With connections to crucial international shipping lanes and free trade zones, Xiamen Port plays a significant role in China’s Belt and Road Initiative, which promotes foreign investment and trade.
Mr. Changwer expressed Xiamen’s eagerness to strengthen collaboration with Fiji, particularly in the cruise liner sector and other mutually beneficial areas.
After observing the advanced port operations, Prime Minister Rabuka praised Xiamen and emphasized Fiji’s intent to learn from it to enhance maritime trade and logistics on both regional and global scales.
The Fijian government continues to invest in infrastructure to improve port services, including container handling, storage, customs processing, and support for maritime industries.