Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s recent visit to Beijing, occurring just a week prior to the gathering of Pacific leaders and development partners in Tonga, has been viewed as a positive move for Fiji. The trip has encouraged the Prime Minister to advocate for a deeper understanding of China within the region.
During their discussions, President Xi Jinping publicly expressed his backing for Rabuka’s Ocean of Peace initiative, amidst worries about China’s increasing influence in the Pacific. However, Rabuka emphasized that the real issue at hand is fear, rather than China’s involvement.
Rabuka stated, “Perhaps we have been living under fear for so long; we need to understand China. We understand the United States better now because we’ve had a closer association for longer.” He highlighted that being friendly with China should not create concern about relationships with the United States.
The Pacific Islands, as caretakers of the valuable Pacific Ocean, attract interest from many countries, both traditional allies and newer partners. Leaders in the Pacific utilize forums to address significant issues such as decolonization, development, climate financing, and geopolitical relations.
Rabuka noted, “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 get there and understand them.” He stressed the importance of conducting foreign affairs in a manner that respects the sovereignty of other nations.
He further stated, “We understand each other; we understand our needs for development, we respect sovereignty, and they understand us.” Rabuka concluded by suggesting that China’s participation in the upcoming forum signifies its strategic and international commitment to the region.