Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has reiterated Fiji’s nuanced stance on China’s role in the Pacific, telling an Indian media outlet that China may not need a physical footprint in the region to achieve its goals. “I just thought that strategically, they do not need to be in the Pacific. They can do everything they want to do from China. There’s really no need for them,” Rabuka said in an interview with Firstpost.
Rabuka emphasized Fiji’s commitment to an open, rules-based international engagement, highlighting the country’s willingness to offer equal access to all nations. “We offer every country in the world freedom of navigation. We offer our port facility to them, and we facilitate their transpacific navigation and welcome their flights over our airspace,” he noted. He also urged restraint among major powers, expressing hope that competition does not breed jealousy or undermine equal opportunities provided by Fiji.
Addressing concerns about external pressure, Rabuka said he does not feel pressured, citing his direct and open dealings with diplomats and leaders. “They understand me and I understand them, so they cannot really pressure me,” he asserted. He added that Pacific island nations, including Fiji, maintain good relations with China and with other powers, underscoring that ties with Beijing do not come at the expense of relationships elsewhere.
Rabuka pointed out that Fiji’s shift to engage with China has occurred within the broader international framework, noting that Fiji had to adapt its stance after the United Nations adopted the One China policy. He recalled that since independence, Fiji has maintained full diplomatic relations with China while downgrading its Taiwan ties from a political-diplomatic level to technical cooperation in 1973.
The remarks fit into Rabuka’s broader diplomatic approach, which many observers associate with his “Ocean of Peace” vision for the region—a framework he has advocated to promote non-aggression, mutual respect, and constructive engagement among Pacific nations. In recent discussions surrounding this approach, there has been recognition from Chinese leadership of the need for deeper understanding and cooperation, while Fiji continues to balance its relationships with traditional partners and new ones alike.
Context from related discussions suggests that Rabuka’s stance reflects a deliberate attempt to preserve Fiji’s sovereignty and strategic autonomy in a complex geopolitical landscape marked by U.S.-China competition. By prioritizing openness, non-alignment in military matters, and equal access to regional facilities, Fiji seeks to attract development, trade, and investment while safeguarding its interests and security.
Additional context and implications:
– Rabuka’s openness to all nations aligns with a broader Pacific strategy that favors regional stability and inclusive growth rather than exclusive alignment.
– The Ocean of Peace concept, which Rabuka has championed, continues to feature in dialogues with major powers and regional partners, signaling a long-term framework for non-confrontational engagement.
– While maintaining cordial ties with China, Rabuka has stressed that friendship with Beijing should not undermine ties with the United States or other partners, a stance likely aimed at preserving a broad strategic balance for Fiji and its neighbors.
Summary and outlook:
Rabuka’s remarks reinforce Fiji’s commitment to a neutral, open foreign policy that welcomes cooperation from all major powers while safeguarding sovereignty and regional stability. By promoting equal access to its ports, airspace, and navigation routes, and by advancing peace-oriented regional initiatives, Fiji seeks to remain a trusted partner for development and security in the Pacific. This approach could help attract investment and collaboration while keeping the region’s diplomacy focused on stability, mutual respect, and shared prosperity.
Leave a comment