Fiji is actively seeking to partner with China to enhance ecological conservation, promote sustainable aquaculture, and develop its fisheries sector. Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, who is visiting China, made these remarks during his trip to Ninghai Village in Ningde, Fujian Province.
Ninghai, situated in the Lumen Port area, comprises about 300 families totaling over 1,000 residents who rely on marine aquaculture as their main source of income. The village also attracts tourists, which further supports the local economy.
Rabuka praised the successful fish farms in the Lumen Bay area as exemplary models of effective poverty alleviation initiatives in Fujian, which have significantly improved the livelihoods of the community and contributed to the broader economy. He expressed that Fiji’s coastal communities and fisheries would benefit greatly from adopting similar marine fish farming techniques and stressed the importance of forging stronger ties with China.
The Prime Minister noted that such partnerships would foster sustainable aquaculture methods, enhance marine and ecological conservation, and promote knowledge-sharing and capacity building within the fisheries domains of both nations.
He was informed that Ninghai Village has evolved from a previously impoverished area into a vibrant community, with its annual collective income surpassing ¥1 million. The village aims to become the premier tourist destination in Ningde City, with plans to invest over ¥17.5 million in visitor service centers, recreational facilities, and lodging options.