Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has warned against the Pacific becoming a battleground for superpower rivalries, saying the region must chart a neutral and united course.
“We do not want those superpower rivalries or big power rivalries to be played out in the Pacific,” Mr Rabuka told the National Press Club of Australia.
“Pacific leaders have tried to go for policies that are friendly to all and enemy to none.”
Asked about China’s interest in establishing a military presence in the Pacific, Mr Rabuka said he did not believe China would even need a base in the Pacific.
“They have proven that they do not need a base outside China to be able to launch what they have into any other area of the world.
“As Prime Minister, yes, I think China understands that problem.”
Mr Rabuka reiterated that regional security should be based on cooperation and respect.
“Security cooperation in that sense of infrastructure development so that Fiji feels more secure of itself, rather than the secure in this camp, rather than leaning towards the other camp.”
