Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s recent visit to Beijing, just a week before Pacific leaders and development partners gather in Tonga, has been seen as a positive move for Fiji. This trip has led the Prime Minister to advocate for a deeper understanding of China.
During a bilateral dialogue, President Xi Jinping expressed support for Rabuka’s initiative called Ocean of Peace, addressing concerns regarding China’s increasing influence in the Pacific region. However, Rabuka emphasized that the real issue at hand is not about China’s presence but rather the fear surrounding it.
He stated, “Perhaps we have been living under fear for so long; we need to understand China. We have a better understanding of the United States because we’ve maintained a closer relationship with them for a longer time.” Rabuka pointed out that maintaining a friendship with China should not jeopardize the relationship with the United States.
The Prime Minister noted that Pacific Islands hold significant resources within the Pacific Ocean, attracting interest from various nations, both traditional allies and new partners. Leaders from the Pacific Islands utilize the forum as a platform to address pressing issues such as decolonization, development, climate financing, and geopolitics.
Rabuka remarked, “China has only recently opened; they have been living behind that bamboo wall for so long. We shut them down, we shut them off. Now we need to approach them and understand their perspective.”
He underlined the importance of conducting foreign affairs in a manner that respects the sovereignty of all nations involved. “We understand each other; we acknowledge our development needs while respecting sovereignty, and they understand us as well,” Rabuka said.
He further suggested that China’s involvement in the upcoming forum indicates its heightened strategic interest in the region, underscoring its importance on both a regional and international scale.