Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitivaini Rabuka said on Wednesday that he was opposing a permanent military leg in the South Pacific region in protest against China.
Rabuka told reporters during a address at the National Press Club in Australia, “If they want to come, Fiji will not be welcome.”
“And I think China understands well.”
Why is Fiji against China’s presence?
China has influenced the Pacific region over the years, but Rabuka said that South Pacific should be a “ocean of peace”, without interfering in nations.
“We do not want the superpower to be played in rivalry or great power rivalry Pacific,” said Rabuka.
“In our development, Chinese particular should not influence how we interact with Australia, New Zealand and America.”
He said, “In his recent discussions, Pacific leaders have tried to go for policies that are favorable for all and none for the enemies – and it is a fairly difficult course to run, but it is possible,” he said.
China tries to combine through investment
Beijing has spent hundreds of crores of dollars, which build sports stadiums, government offices, hospitals and roads in Pacific countries as Solomon Islands and Vanutu.
The attraction has already taken fruits with Kirbati, Solomon Islands and Nauru, who has been leaving the diplomat with Taiwan in favor of China for a long time.
China looks at Taiwan, which is independently ruled as a breakway province.
The Solomon Islands are seen as a particularly close associate of Beijing. The nation agreed to a security agreement with China in 2022, China can try to use the islands as a military base one day a day.
Edited by: ZAC Crellin
