Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka met with His Excellency Li Qiang, Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, in Beijing yesterday. The meeting underscored the longstanding relationship between Fiji and China, characterized by shared aspirations and mutual interests, and aimed at fostering a comprehensive strategic partnership built on trust and respect.
Upon his arrival at the Great Hall of the People, Prime Minister Rabuka was welcomed with a guard of honor consisting of 130 members from the People’s Liberation Army. During their discussions, he expressed gratitude on behalf of the Fiji delegation for the warm hospitality provided by the Chinese government and its people, describing the reception as overwhelming.
The Prime Minister reaffirmed Fiji’s commitment to the One China Policy, which has been a cornerstone of diplomatic relations. He noted that China has supported Fiji during challenging times, especially when traditional partners distanced themselves following events in 1987, 2000, and 2006.
The two leaders discussed key areas of collaboration including poverty alleviation, infrastructure development, and rural revitalization, as well as the Belt and Road Initiative. PM Rabuka indicated that Fiji aims to implement an extensive infrastructure development program with China to enhance the nation’s infrastructure in the future.
Acknowledging the Belt and Road Initiative, the Prime Minister praised the assistance from the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA) for the upgrade of 82 kilometers of the Vanua Levu road network. He also reiterated Fiji’s commitment to regionalism and the goals outlined in the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, which focuses on common challenges such as climate change, ocean preservation, and conflict resolution.
Furthermore, the Prime Minister recognized China’s contributions toward achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development through the Global Development Initiative (GDI). In response, Premier Li emphasized China’s commitment to support Fiji in areas of mutual interest, particularly in poverty alleviation and infrastructure development.
He reiterated that China would enhance its cooperation with Fiji through the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative and actively advance the Global Development Initiative. Premier Li expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister for the opportunity to convene and reaffirmed their dedication to strengthening the enduring relationship between China and Fiji.