China views Fiji as a key partner in the South Pacific, according to Chinese Premier Li Qiang during his meeting with Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka in Beijing on Sunday. Premier Li noted that Fiji was the inaugural Pacific Island nation to establish diplomatic relations with China. In response, Prime Minister Rabuka reaffirmed Fiji’s status as a trustworthy ally and its commitment to the one-China principle, as well as support for the Belt and Road Initiative and other collaborative efforts.
Rabuka expressed Fiji’s intention to enhance cooperative efforts with China across various sectors, including economy and trade, infrastructure, agriculture, fisheries, tourism, and connectivity, aiming to expand bilateral relations into new areas.
Li emphasized China’s unwavering support for the Fijian people’s chosen development path. He expressed readiness to collaborate with Fiji to fulfill mutual agreements made between the two nations’ leaders. Li remarked that China will remain a steadfast friend to Fiji, nurturing trust and support, while strengthening exchanges at all levels to foster the growth of the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership for the benefit of both peoples.
He also highlighted the importance of leveraging each country’s strengths to deepen collaboration in infrastructure development, agriculture, fisheries, light industry, education, tourism, and poverty alleviation within the framework of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. Li pledged that China would increase imports of Fijian products and encourage Chinese enterprises to invest in Fiji.
Furthermore, Li declared China’s support for Pacific Island countries in implementing the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. He noted that China aims to work closely with Fiji and other island nations to advance initiatives for global development, security, and civilization, with the objective of fostering a fair, balanced multipolar world and inclusive global economic growth.