Fiji is considering collaborating with China in areas such as ecological conservation, sustainable aquaculture, and fish farming to enhance its fisheries development. Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, who is currently visiting China, made these remarks during his tour of Ninghai Village in Fujian Province.
Ninghai, situated in the Lumen Port area, is home to 300 families and over 1,000 residents who primarily rely on marine aquaculture for their livelihoods. The village also welcomes tourists, which helps supplement local income.
Rabuka praised the successful fish farms in the Lumen Bay area as effective poverty alleviation projects that improve community welfare and contribute positively to the economy. He noted that Fiji’s coastal communities and fisheries sector could significantly benefit from insights gained through marine fish farming initiatives, emphasizing the importance of strengthening ties with China.
The Prime Minister emphasized that such collaboration could lead to improved sustainable aquaculture practices, better marine and ecological conservation efforts, and enhanced knowledge-sharing and capacity building between the fisheries sectors of both countries.
He also learned that Ninghai Village has transformed from a previously impoverished area into a thriving community, with an annual collective economic income exceeding ¥1 million. Moreover, the village aims to become the leading tourism destination in Ningde City, with plans to invest more than ¥17.5 million in developing visitor service centers, recreational facilities, and accommodations, among other improvements.