Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka held a significant meeting with His Excellency Li Qiang, Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, in Beijing yesterday. The meeting marked a historic reaffirmation of the long-standing relationship between Fiji and China, characterized by shared goals and interests, and aimed at fostering a comprehensive strategic partnership grounded in mutual trust and respect.
Upon his arrival at the Great Hall of the People, Prime Minister Rabuka was honored with 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 for the warm hospitality extended by the Chinese government and its people, describing the reception as overwhelming.
The Prime Minister affirmed Fiji’s commitment to the One China Policy, which has been fundamental to their diplomatic ties, noting that China remained a steadfast partner during challenging times in Fiji’s history in 1987, 2000, and 2006.
The two leaders addressed several key priorities, including poverty alleviation, infrastructure development encompassing both land and maritime connectivity, the Belt and Road Initiative, and revitalization of rural areas. PM Rabuka mentioned that Fiji aims to develop a comprehensive infrastructure program with China to enhance the nation’s infrastructure in the coming years.
He acknowledged China’s role in the Belt and Road Initiative and expressed appreciation for the support from the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA) for the improvement of 82 kilometers of the road network on Vanua Levu.
Regarding regional matters, the Prime Minister reiterated Fiji’s dedication to regionalism through the implementation of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, focusing on collective strengths to address challenges such as climate change, ocean preservation, and conflict resolution.
PM Rabuka also recognized China’s contributions towards achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, especially through the Global Development Initiative (GDI).
In response, Premier Li reaffirmed China’s ongoing support in key sectors such as poverty alleviation and infrastructure development. He highlighted China’s intention to enhance collaboration with Fiji through the quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative and to actively promote the Global Development Initiative.
Premier Li expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Rabuka for the meeting, reaffirming their commitment to strengthen the enduring relationship between China and Fiji.