Chinese language President Xi Jinping advised Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka that she hopes Fiji will proceed to supply “sturdy” assist to it on points associated to Beijing’s core pursuits and main considerations, state media reported.
Rabuka, who turned Fiji’s first new prime minister in 16 years in December, met Xi for the primary time on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Financial Cooperation (APEC) summit in San Francisco on Thursday.
The Fiji authorities mentioned in a press release that the assembly centered on China’s Belt and Highway Initiative, and that the leaders mentioned Beijing’s tender mortgage to Fiji and a joint mission to modernize Fiji’s ports.
Within the assertion, Fiji expressed assist for Xi’s “imaginative and prescient for world safety” which it mentioned displays Rabuka’s name for the creation of a “Pacific peace zone”.
“Within the face of world uncertainties and geopolitical pressures, Prime Minister Rabuka expressed Fiji’s solidarity with China’s World Safety Initiative, which goals to construct a diplomatic and safety structure by treaties, alliances and multilateral establishments,” Fiji’s assertion mentioned.
Chinese language state tv mentioned Xi advised Rabuka that China will proceed to assist Fiji in defending its nationwide sovereignty, safety and territorial integrity.
Xi advised the Fijian chief that China is keen to work with the Pacific island nation to boost mutual political belief and develop sensible cooperation.
Xi mentioned China helps Fiji in independently selecting its personal improvement path and attaining nationwide improvement and revitalization.
The Chinese language chief mentioned China is keen to strengthen cooperation in infrastructure, agriculture, forestry, fisheries, new power and different areas to assist Fiji’s financial and social improvement.
China additionally needs to extend Fiji’s imports, assist enterprise investments in Fiji and encourage extra vacationers to go to Fiji.
Xi added that China’s coverage towards Pacific island international locations absolutely respects the sovereignty and independence of these international locations with out attaching political situations or empty guarantees, saying that China is growing its relations with these international locations with out “egocentric motives.”
Shortly after forming the federal government, Rabuka froze the decade-old police cooperation settlement between Fiji and China, and final month mentioned his authorities would strengthen protection ties with main assist donor Australia.
China is pushing to strengthen safety and commerce relations with Pacific island international locations, and signed a safety settlement with the Solomon Islands, which raised concern in the USA, which responded by concluding a protection settlement with Papua New Guinea.
Rabuka mentioned the Pacific Islands ought to be a “zone of peace” and expressed his hope that the rivalry between China and the USA within the area wouldn’t flip into battle.
Fiji’s assertion mentioned Xi expressed curiosity in financing main capital tasks.
(Tags for translation)Xi Jinping
