The Embassy of China in Fiji states the notion China wants to set-up a military base in the Pacific “are baseless and driven by ulterior motives.”
A spokesman for the Embassy made the statement after Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka said Fiji would not allow a Chinese military base in the country.
“China’s presence in the Pacific is focused on building roads and bridges to improve people’s livelihoods, not on stationing troops or setting up military bases,” said the statement.
“Never has China stirred up any dispute in the Pacific Region, violated any inch of land from Pacific Island Countries, or signed any agreement that forced Pacific Island Countries to sacrifice their sovereignty.”
“China remains firmly committed to the international nuclear non-proliferation regime with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons as the cornerstone and to the Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty.”
The statement added China firmly supports Pacific Island Countries in playing a bigger role in regional and international affairs and will maintain communication with Pacific Island Countries on major international and regional hotspot issues to make positive contributions to the peace and stability of the Pacific region.
“China and Fiji are comprehensive strategic partners, and security cooperation is part of our bilateral relations.”
