Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka held a meeting with His Excellency Li Qiang, Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, in Beijing yesterday. This significant meeting highlighted the enduring relationship between Fiji and China, built on shared goals and mutual interests, leading to a comprehensive strategic partnership anchored in trust and respect.
Upon arriving at the Great Hall of the People, Prime Minister Rabuka was welcomed by a guard of honor consisting of 130 members from the People’s Liberation Army. During the discussions, he expressed gratitude on behalf of the Fijian delegation to the Chinese government and its people for their warm hospitality, describing the reception as overwhelming.
The Prime Minister acknowledged the One China Policy as a fundamental element of Fiji’s diplomatic relations, noting that China provided support to Fiji during challenging times in 1987, 2000, and 2006 when other traditional partners stepped back.
The leaders addressed key focus areas including poverty reduction, infrastructure development—particularly in land and maritime connectivity—and the Belt and Road Initiative, as well as rural revitalization efforts. PM Rabuka expressed Fiji’s intention to collaborate with China on a comprehensive infrastructure development program aimed at transforming the nation’s infrastructure in the coming years.
Recognizing the Belt and Road Initiative, he lauded the support from the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA) in upgrading 82 kilometers of the Vanua Levu road network. He also reinforced Fiji’s dedication to regionalism by implementing the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, which aims to tackle common issues such as climate change, ocean preservation, and conflict resolution.
The Prime Minister commended China’s contributions towards achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development through the Global Development Initiative (GDI). In response, Premier Li reiterated China’s ongoing support in areas of mutual interest, particularly in poverty alleviation and infrastructure development.
He emphasized China’s commitment to enhancing cooperation with Fiji through the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative, while also advancing the Global Development Initiative. Premier Li expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister for the opportunity to meet, reaffirming the commitment to strengthen the long-lasting relationship between China and Fiji.