Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka visited the Silk Road Maritime Management Center and the Xiamen International Shipping Science Innovation Center in Xiamen, Fujian Province, as part of his vision to establish Fiji as a key hub in the Pacific by enhancing the efficiency and capacity of its ports.
The Xiamen port, one of China’s major coastal ports and ranked among the top twenty most effective ports globally, plays a crucial role in the national transportation network. It is recognized as a large digitalized container port, a home base for cruise ships, and a significant trade port across the Taiwan Strait.
Upon arrival, Prime Minister Rabuka and his delegation received a comprehensive overview of the daily operations at Xiamen Port.
Mr. Xia Changwer, the director general of the Xiamen Port Authority, welcomed the Fijian delegation and detailed the port’s various terminals, which include those for bulk cargo, containers, and specialized facilities for oil and gas.
The infrastructure at the port showcases advanced container handling equipment and efficient customs procedures that ensure quick turnaround times, demonstrating Xiamen’s technological progress.
With access to crucial international shipping routes and free trade zones, Xiamen port plays an essential role in China’s Belt and Road Initiative, promoting foreign investment and trade.
Mr. Changwer expressed Xiamen’s readiness to enhance collaboration with Fiji, particularly in the cruise liner sector and other mutual interests.
After the visit, Prime Minister Rabuka praised Xiamen and emphasized Fiji’s eagerness to learn from its operations to boost the nation’s maritime trade and logistics on both regional and global levels.
The Fijian government is actively investing in infrastructure improvements to enhance port services such as container handling, storage, customs processing, and support for maritime industries.