Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka recently visited the Silk Road Maritime Management Center and the Xiamen International Shipping Science Innovation Center in Xiamen, Fujian Province. This visit aligns with his goal to position Fiji as a central hub in the Pacific by enhancing the efficiency and capacity of its ports.
Xiamen Port, one of China’s most significant coastal ports, ranks among the top twenty most efficient ports in the world. It serves as a critical node in the country’s transportation infrastructure, featuring a large digitalized container port, a home port for cruises, and a significant trade port across the Taiwan Strait.
Upon arrival, Prime Minister Rabuka and his team received a comprehensive overview of Xiamen Port’s daily operations. The director general of the Xiamen Port Authority, Mr. Xia Changwer, welcomed the Fijian delegation, highlighting the port’s diverse terminals, including those for bulk cargo, containers, and specialized oil and gas facilities.
Xiamen’s port infrastructure showcases advanced container handling technology and efficient customs procedures, allowing for swift turnaround times. The port plays a crucial role in China’s Belt and Road Initiative by connecting vital international shipping routes and free trade zones, thus promoting foreign investment and trade.
Mr. Changwer expressed Xiamen’s willingness to strengthen collaboration with Fiji, particularly in the cruise industry and other mutually beneficial areas. Following the visit, Prime Minister Rabuka praised Xiamen’s advancements and expressed Fiji’s eagerness to learn from its practices to enhance the country’s maritime trade and logistics capabilities on both regional and global levels.
To bolster port services, the Fijian government is actively investing in infrastructure improvements, which include effective container handling, storage, and customs processing to support the maritime sector.