PRIME Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has reiterated his stance on China’s presence in the Pacific, expressing doubts about the strategic necessity of China’s involvement in the region.
In a recent interview with Indian media outlet Firstpost, Mr Rabuka stated, “I just thought that strategically, they do not need to be in the Pacific.”
“They can do everything they want to do from China. There’s really no need for them.”
He emphasised Fiji’s open approach to international relations, highlighting the country’s willingness to provide equal access to all nations.
“We offer every country in the world freedom of navigation.
“We offer our port facility to them, and we facilitate their transpacific navigation and welcome their flights over our airspace.”
Mr Rabuka cautioned against competition among global powers.
“I hope that doesn’t make them jealous of each other. They are given equal opportunities for those by Fiji.”
Mr Rabuka dismissed any notion of territorial claims or dominance, stating, “There’s really no need for any of them to come and take claim in Fiji and say, ‘We’re here. We got here first.’”
Addressing concerns about external pressure, Mr Rabuka expressed confidence in his diplomatic relations.
“I do not feel any pressure, because I deal with the diplomats and with their leaders very openly.
“They understand me and I understand them, so they cannot really pressure me.”
He said Pacific Island nations including Fiji had good relations with China.
“We get on well with China. All the countries in the Pacific have good relationships with China.
“We have had our relationship since our independence, that had to change with the United Nations adopting the One China policy.
“We had to change into that in 1973 where we accorded them full diplomatic rights, and we had to downgrade our relationship with Taiwan from that time to technical cooperation level.”