Influence in the South Pacific is not welcome from his perspective. But not all nations in the region are on the same page as Beijing continues to invest heavily.
Fiji PM says China military presence not welcome in Pacific
Sitiveni Rabuka said China’s influence in the South Pacific is not welcome from his perspective. But not all nations in the region are on the same page as Beijing continues to invest heavily.
Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka say Beijing’s influence in the South Pacific is not welcome from Fiji’s
Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka said on Wednesday that he is opposed to China gaining a permanent military foothold in the South Pacific region.
“If they want to come, who would welcome them? Not Fiji,” Rabuka told reporters during an address at Australia’s National Press Club.
“And I think that China understands that well.”
Why is Fiji against China’s presence?
China has for years exerted influence across the Pacific but Rabuka said the South Pacific should be an “ocean of peace” without jostling nations interfering.
“We do not want superpower rivalries or big power rivalries to be played out in the Pacific,” Rabuka said.
“China’s participation in our development should not affect how we interact with Australia, New Zealand and America.”
“Pacific leaders in all their recent discussions have tried to go for policies that are friendly to all and enemies to none — and it is a fairly tough course to steer, but it is possible,” he added.
