Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has praised China’s rural revitalization initiatives during his current official visit to the country.
This week, he visited the border regions of Yunnan Province, expressing hope for collaborative efforts with local authorities on rural development. In an interview with CGTN, Rabuka shared his admiration for the transformation of a village from 1992 to the present day, noting, “That is 32 years. I was Prime Minister of Fiji in 1992, and I’m Prime Minister again now. But nowhere in Fiji have we seen any improvement that comes close to what we have seen here.” He extended his congratulations to the Chinese leaders, especially current President Xi Jinping, for their work in poverty alleviation and enhancing living standards in disadvantaged areas, particularly those inhabited by ethnic minorities.
On Tuesday, Rabuka arrived in Malipo, Yunnan Province, located along the China-Vietnam border. He toured two villages, Ping’anpo and Nanyou, where he observed advancements in agricultural development, education, and cultural preservation. He expressed his admiration for the significant changes that have occurred in these remote communities in a relatively short period.
Rabuka’s visit to the People’s Republic of China is set to last for 10 days.