Fiji is looking to explore collaboration opportunities with China in areas such as ecological conservation, eco-friendly aquaculture, and fish farming to enhance its fisheries sector. Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, currently on a tour in China, made these remarks during his visit to Ninghai Village in Ningde, Fujian Province.
Ninghai is situated in the Lumen Port area and supports 300 families, totaling over 1,000 residents, who rely on marine aquaculture for their livelihoods. The village also attracts tourists, which helps supplement the local economy.
Rabuka noted that the successful fish farms in the Lumen Bay area serve as an effective model for poverty alleviation in Fujian, improving community welfare and contributing to the broader economy. He emphasized that Fiji’s coastal communities could greatly benefit from adopting marine fish farming practices and stressed the importance of closer cooperation with China.
The Prime Minister indicated that such partnerships could lead to improved sustainable aquaculture, marine conservation, knowledge sharing, and capacity building between the fisheries sectors of Fiji and China.
During his visit, Rabuka learned that Ninghai Village has significantly improved its economic situation, with annual collective income now exceeding ¥1 million. The village aims to be the leading tourism destination in Ningde City, planning to invest over ¥17.5 million in developing visitor services, recreational facilities, and accommodation options.