Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s recent visit to Beijing, just a week before Pacific leaders and development partners gather in Tonga, is seen as a positive development for Fiji. The trip has led the Prime Minister to advocate for a better understanding of China.
After discussions with President Xi Jinping, who publicly endorsed Rabuka’s initiative, “Ocean of Peace,” concerns about Beijing’s growing influence in the region were addressed. Rabuka expressed that the real challenge lies in overcoming fear, rather than in China’s presence in the Pacific.
“We may have been living in fear for too long; we need to understand China. Our understanding of the United States has matured due to a longer history of partnership,” Rabuka stated. He emphasized that a friendship with China does not conflict with relations with the United States and that fears should not arise from differing alliances.
The Pacific Islands hold significant resources within the Pacific Ocean, attracting interest from various countries, both traditional and emerging partners. Leaders in the Pacific utilize forums to address pressing issues such as decolonization, development, climate financing, and geopolitical dynamics.
Rabuka highlighted that China has only recently begun to engage more openly following a period of isolation. He urged for a concerted effort to bridge this understanding.
He stressed that foreign relations must respect the sovereignty of all nations involved. “We comprehend our development needs, respect for sovereignty, and they comprehend us as well,” he noted.
Rabuka further remarked that China’s engagement in the upcoming forum underscores its strategic importance to the region, highlighting a growing recognition of the Pacific on the global stage.