Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka visited the Silk Road Maritime Management Center and the Xiamen International Shipping Science Innovation Center in Xiamen, Fujian Province. This visit aligns with his goal of establishing Fiji as a key hub in the Pacific by enhancing the efficiency and capacity of its ports.
Xiamen Port, one of China’s most significant coastal ports and ranked among the top twenty most effective ports globally, serves as a crucial part of the country’s transportation network. It features a large digitalized container port, a home port for cruise ships, and a trade port across the Taiwan Strait.
Upon arrival, Prime Minister Rabuka and his delegation received a comprehensive overview of the daily operations at Xiamen Port. Mr. Xia Changwer, the director general of the Xiamen Port Authority, welcomed the Fijian delegation and detailed the port’s multiple terminals, including those for bulk cargo, containers, and specialized facilities for oil and gas.
The port showcases advanced infrastructure, featuring state-of-the-art container handling equipment and efficient customs processes that facilitate quick turnaround times. Xiamen Port is also pivotal to China’s Belt and Road Initiative, which promotes foreign investment and trade, thanks to its connections to key international shipping routes and free trade zones.
Mr. Changwer indicated that Xiamen is keen to enhance collaboration with Fiji, particularly in the cruise industry and other mutually beneficial sectors. Following the visit to the modern port, Prime Minister Rabuka expressed his admiration for Xiamen and emphasized Fiji’s commitment to learning from its practices to boost maritime trade and improve regional and global logistics.
The Fijian government is continuing to invest in infrastructure to upgrade port services, including container handling, storage, customs processing, and support for the maritime industries.