The Government of the People’s Republic of China notified Fiji in advance of its military training activity conducted in the Pacific region on 6 July, assuring authorities that the exercise was routine and posed no threat to the region.
In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade said China had informed the Ministry that the activity formed part of a scheduled military training exercise.
According to the notification, the operation was not directed at any country in the Pacific and posed no security threat to the region.
The Ministry said Fiji remains firmly committed to its vision of the Pacific as an Ocean of Peace, where dialogue, transparency, mutual respect and adherence to international law are the foundation of regional security and prosperity.
It also reaffirmed Fiji’s support for the Rarotonga Treaty and said the country respects development cooperation undertaken within the Pacific region.
The Ministry added that it will continue to engage constructively with all partners to advance Fiji’s foreign policy priorities while supporting a peaceful, stable and secure Blue Pacific region.
