Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka recently visited the Silk Road Maritime Management Center and the Xiamen International Shipping Science Innovation Center in Xiamen, Fujian Province, as part of his goal to position Fiji as the central hub of the Pacific by enhancing the efficiency and capacity of its ports.
Xiamen Port, one of the busiest coastal ports in China and ranked among the top twenty most efficient ports globally, plays a critical role in the national transportation network. It serves as a major digitalized container port, a cruise ship home port, and a trading port across the Taiwan Strait.
Upon arrival at Xiamen Port, Prime Minister Rabuka and his delegation received a detailed overview of the port’s daily operations.
Mr. Xia Changwer, the director general of the Xiamen Port Authority, welcomed the Fijian delegation, highlighting the port’s various terminals, including those for bulk cargo, containers, as well as facilities designed for oil and gas operations.
The infrastructure at Xiamen Port features modern container handling machinery and efficient customs processes, enabling rapid turnaround times, showcasing the technological advancements of the region.
As a key player in China’s Belt and Road Initiative, Xiamen Port is integral to fostering foreign investment and enhancing trade, with strong connections to vital international shipping lanes and free trade zones.
Mr. Changwer expressed Xiamen’s eagerness to strengthen its partnership with Fiji, particularly in the cruise industry and other collaborative areas.
Following the visit to the state-of-the-art port, Prime Minister Rabuka voiced his admiration for Xiamen and reiterated Fiji’s intent to learn from its practices to improve maritime trade and logistics both regionally and globally.
The Fijian government continues to invest in infrastructure improvements to enhance port services, including container handling, storage, and customs processing, along with supporting maritime industries.