Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s recent visit to Beijing, just a week prior to the gathering of Pacific leaders and development partners in Tonga, has been viewed as a potentially positive move for Fiji.
During his trip, the Prime Minister emphasized the need for a better understanding of China. Following bilateral discussions, President Xi Jinping publicly endorsed Rabuka’s “Ocean of Peace” initiative, amid growing concerns over China’s increasing influence in the region.
Rabuka pointed out that the issue at hand is not China’s presence, but rather a prevailing sense of fear. He suggested that the region has been living in fear for too long and called for a deeper understanding of China. “We have had a closer association with the United States for a longer time, which is why we understand them better,” he explained.
He went on to assert that fostering friendship with China does not detract from relations with the United States, and urged that lack of friendship with one should not incite fear concerning the other.
The Pacific Islands serve as custodians of the Pacific Ocean, a significant resource drawing interest from many countries, both traditional and non-traditional partners. Leaders from the Pacific utilize the Forum to address various pressing issues including decolonization, development, climate financing, and geopolitics.
Rabuka remarked on China’s recent emergence from isolation, referring to it as having lived behind a “bamboo wall.” He stressed the importance of now engaging with China to understand it better.
Furthermore, he highlighted that foreign affairs should respect the sovereignty of other nations, affirming mutual understanding about development needs and respect for sovereignty.
Rabuka noted that China’s involvement in the forum signifies its strategic significance to the region, as well as its importance on the international stage.