Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has demonstrated a strong interest in partnering with China’s Yunnan Province in various sectors, including education, agriculture, infrastructure development, and tourism. During his official visit to China this week, he engaged in discussions with Yunnan Province’s governor, Wang Yubo.
Rabuka commended Yunnan for its resilience and dedication in enhancing its economy and improving the living standards of its communities. He emphasized that Fiji could gain valuable insights from Yunnan, highlighting its status as one of China’s rapidly advancing provinces and its potential contributions to Fiji’s development efforts.
The Prime Minister underlined the importance of fostering closer ties through discussions on personal connections, socioeconomic opportunities, and political relations. He pointed out that both Fiji and China share fundamental principles such as mutual respect for sovereignty, peaceful coexistence, and non-interference in domestic affairs.
In response, Governor Yubo expressed Yunnan’s readiness to bolster collaboration in trade, investment, educational exchanges, poverty reduction initiatives, and drug control efforts.
During his tour of Ping’anpo and Nanyou villages in Malipo County, Mr. Rabuka observed various targeted poverty alleviation and rural revitalization initiatives. He noted that Fiji could leverage China’s technological advancements and sustainable practices to enhance livelihoods, ensure food security, and diversify the economy.