Fiji’s leader says he hopes to work with China in upgrading his country’s ports

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Fiji’s leader says that when assembly with China’s President Xi Jinping, he hopes to collaborate with China on upgrading his country’s shipyards and ports.

Sitiveni Rabuka made the remarks to lawmakers in Parliament on Wednesday.

Rabuka is most often considered as leaning much less towards China than his predecessor Frank Bainimarama, and in a discuss with to Australia closing month, Rabuka emphasised he was once “more comfortable dealing with traditional friends” corresponding to Australia.

But in his Wednesday remarks, Rabuka highlighted the commercial ties his small South Pacific island country has cast with China over 50 years of diplomatic family members.

Rabuka mentioned that in his assembly with Xi closing week at the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation convention in San Francisco, he mentioned how China’s help was once pivotal to Fiji’s post-COVID-19 financial restoration.

Rabuka mentioned China’s Belt and Road Initiative aligned with Fiji’s building schedule and that China had contributed towards numerous grants and help applications.

“As we navigate economic challenges, discussions are underway to address our debt crisis responsibly,” Rabuka mentioned.

He mentioned a key focal point of constructing sustainable financial expansion in Fiji was once the great improve of infrastructure, in particular port amenities and shipyards.

“I anticipate potential collaboration with China in that endeavor, given China’s globally competitive shipbuilding,” Rabuka mentioned.

China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning mentioned at a day by day briefing that China and Fiji are just right pals and companions, and feature up to now cooperated on infrastructure.

“The goal is to support island countries in making life better for their people and achieving development and prosperity,” Mao mentioned.

Fiji’s transfer comes as China appears to be like to make bigger its affect in the Pacific. Last 12 months, China fell brief in an bold strive to get 10 small Pacific international locations to signal to a sweeping deal protecting the whole thing from safety to fisheries. The strive got here quickly after Solomon Islands signed a safety pact with China, a transfer that raised alarm during the Pacific.