Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has expressed willingness to collaborate with China’s Yunnan Province in areas such as education, agricultural practices, as well as development of infrastructure and tourism, among others.
During his official state visit to China this week, Mr Rabuka met with Yunnan Province governor Wang Yubo.
Mr Rabuka said Yunnan had set a benchmark for resilience and hard work in its efforts to grow the economy and raise the standard of living for local communities.
He said Fiji could learn a lot from Yunnan and as one of China’s fastest-developing provinces, he said Yunnan had much to offer Fiji through development cooperation.
Mr Rabuka also shared the importance of advancing discussions on people-to-people links, socioeconomic opportunities and political ties.
The PM said both Fiji and China had similar valued principles, including the need for mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit and a peaceful coexistence.
In response, Mr Yubo also informed Mr Rabuka that Yunnan stood ready to enhance cooperation in trade and investment, people to people exchanges, poverty alleviation programs, and anti-narcotics strategy and higher education.
Meanwhile, Mr Rabuka also toured Ping’anpo and Nanyou villages in Malipo County, Yunnan Province where he witnessed various targeted poverty alleviation and rural revitalisation programs.
Mr Rabuka said Fiji stood to benefit from China’s technological innovation and sustainable practices to improve livelihoods, ensure food security, productivity, and economic diversification.
