Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s recent visit to Beijing, just a week before Pacific leaders and development partners gather in Tonga, presents a promising opportunity for Fiji. The Prime Minister has expressed a need for a greater understanding of China following discussions with President Xi Jinping, who voiced his backing for Rabuka’s Ocean of Peace initiative amid rising concerns regarding Beijing’s influence in the region.
Rabuka stated that the primary issue at hand is not China’s presence but rather the fear surrounding it. “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 conveyed. He emphasized that maintaining a friendship with China does not hinder relations with the United States and that fear should not arise from differing alliances.
The Pacific Islands serve as stewards of the vast Pacific Ocean, a resource that attracts interest from various countries, both established and emerging partners. Leaders from the Pacific Islands utilize the Forum to address significant issues, including decolonization, development, climate financing, and geopolitical dynamics.
Rabuka pointed out that China has only recently emerged from isolation, suggesting that understanding their perspectives is crucial. He underscored the need for foreign affairs to respect the sovereignty of all nations involved, stating, “We understand each other; we understand our needs for development, we respect sovereignty, and they understand us.”
The Prime Minister noted that China’s involvement in the upcoming forum signifies its increasing strategic importance in the region, both for its own interests and on the global stage.