Fiji prime minister to begin 10-day China visit
4 months, 2 weeks ago

Fiji prime minister to begin 10-day China visit

China Daily  

Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka in Vanua Levu, Fiji, April 2, 2024. Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka will pay a 10-day official visit to China starting from Monday, the first of its kind since taking the office in 2022. China has received several leaders of Pacific Island countries this year and Prime Minister Rabuka is yet another Pacific Island country leader set to visit the country, which Mao said speaks to the close relations between China and the South Pacific region. China hopes to take the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries to a new level and work with Fiji to build an even closer community with a shared future between China and Pacific Island countries, Mao said.

China Pacific Island Prime Minister Mao Fiji  island  visit  begin  fiji  mao  country  prime  countries  rabuka  china  minister  pacific  10day

History of this topic

Destination of growth for outbound tourism
3 months ago

Destination of growth for outbound tourism

China Daily  

Visitors enjoy getting wet during the Songkran water-splashing festival in Thailand. Between Jan 1 and Aug 17, more than 4.53 million Chinese tourists visited Thailand, solidifying China's position as the country's largest source of tourism, according to Thai authorities. This trend is supported by multiple factors, such as the bilateral visa-free policy and the stable demand for travel, and should …

Pacific Island nations hope to lure China's tourists with a promise of 'purity' as travellers return to the skies
3 months, 2 weeks ago

Pacific Island nations hope to lure China's tourists with a promise of 'purity' as travellers return to the skies

ABC  

At his hotel in Palau, Pai Lee has long hosted tourists on their way to the country's jellyfish lake and white sand beaches. China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs website warns citizens of an increased number of security incidents in Palau, saying "cases involving the personal safety of Chinese tourists and tourism disputes have occurred from time to time". "Misrepresenting China's …

China, Fiji agree to strengthen cooperation
4 months ago

China, Fiji agree to strengthen cooperation

China Daily  

President Xi Jinping meets with Prime Minister of the Republic of Fiji Sitiveni Rabuka, who is on an official visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Aug 20, 2024. Noting that Fiji was the first Pacific island nation to establish diplomatic relations with China and that next year will mark the 50th …

Chinese President Xi Jinping promises stronger Fiji ties in world of ‘turmoil’
4 months ago

Chinese President Xi Jinping promises stronger Fiji ties in world of ‘turmoil’

The Hindu  

Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged to strengthen ties with Fiji in a world beset with “turmoil” as he met the Pacific island’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka in Beijing on Tuesday. Mr. Rabuka has taken a more cautious line over China’s growing security interests in the Pacific, praising Fiji’s warming ties with Beijing while saying he preferred to deal with democratic …

A win-win relationship that shows country size, population don't matter
4 months ago

A win-win relationship that shows country size, population don't matter

China Daily  

The talks between Premier Li Qiang and visiting Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka on Sunday afternoon and the signing of multiple agreements on bilateral cooperation in fields such as trade and infrastructure construction are expected to raise the partnership between China and the Pacific island country to a new level. Fiji was the first Pacific island country to establish diplomatic …

President Droupadi Murmu to visit Fiji, New Zealand and Timor-Leste
4 months, 3 weeks ago

President Droupadi Murmu to visit Fiji, New Zealand and Timor-Leste

Hindustan Times  

President Droupadi Murmu will visit Fiji, New Zealand and Timor-Leste next week to take forward bilateral ties with the three countries in areas such as defence and security, trade, education and people-to-people contacts. People of Indian ancestry now make up more than a third of Fiji’s population and the visit reflects India’s commitment to further strengthen bilateral ties, Mazumdar said. …

Solomon Islands and China are strengthening ties in a worrying move for US and its Pacific allies
5 months, 1 week ago

Solomon Islands and China are strengthening ties in a worrying move for US and its Pacific allies

Associated Press  

BEIJING — The new Solomon Islands prime minister is in China for a visit as Beijing and the strategic Pacific archipelago strengthen their ties. “Solomon Islands values its comprehensive and strategic relations with China,” Manele told Xi in prepared remarks at the start of their meeting in the Great Hall of the People. China’s influence increased significantly during the term …

Tonga’s prime minister says he’s open to Chinese help with security support at an upcoming summit
8 months, 2 weeks ago

Tonga’s prime minister says he’s open to Chinese help with security support at an upcoming summit

Associated Press  

MELBOURNE, Australia — Tonga’s prime minister said on Thursday he is open to Beijing’s offer of security support when the South Pacific kingdom hosts a major regional leaders’ summit, raising concerns in the United States as it strives to counter China’s growing influence. Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni said there was nothing to fear from China’s offer to help Tonga host …

Tonga's prime minister says he's open to Chinese help with security support at an upcoming summit
8 months, 2 weeks ago

Tonga's prime minister says he's open to Chinese help with security support at an upcoming summit

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Tonga’s prime minister said on …

During Australia Visit, Fijian Prime Minister Calls for ‘Ocean of Peace’
1 year, 1 month ago

During Australia Visit, Fijian Prime Minister Calls for ‘Ocean of Peace’

The Diplomat  

Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka called for the Pacific Ocean to be an “Ocean of Peace” amid a visit to Australia last month, in which he seemed to edge Fiji further away from China. My past cannot be removed, but I can compensate to some extent for what I did.” His comments came during a tour of Australia where he …

China in the Pacific: The Fiji Case
1 year, 7 months ago

China in the Pacific: The Fiji Case

The Diplomat  

Much has changed in the Pacific in the year since Solomon Islands signed a security agreement with China in April 2022. When Bainimarama grasped power in a 2006 military coup, his ostracism by Fiji’s traditional partners in Australia, New Zealand, and the United States was China’s great gain. In turn, Bainimarama adopted a “look north” policy that embraced China’s growing …

PM Modi conferred with Fiji’s highest ‘Companion of the Order’ honour
1 year, 7 months ago

PM Modi conferred with Fiji’s highest ‘Companion of the Order’ honour

Hindustan Times  

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on Monday conferred with the highest honour of Fiji by its premier Sitiveni Rabuka in recognition of his global leadership, in a rare honour for a non-Fijian. Read here: For me you are large ocean countries, not small island states: PM Modi at Pacific Forum in Papua New Guinea Modi arrived here in Papua New …

Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka tells Anthony Albanese he backs AUKUS deal
1 year, 9 months ago

Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka tells Anthony Albanese he backs AUKUS deal

ABC  

Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has backed Australia's nuclear submarine plan as Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese conducts a major diplomatic blitz to reassure the region about the landmark AUKUS announcement. Key points: Sitiveni Rabuka said Anthony Albanese assured him that AUKUS would not undermine a treaty declaring the South Pacific a nuclear-weapons-free zone Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the …

Under New Leadership, What’s Next for Fiji?
1 year, 10 months ago

Under New Leadership, What’s Next for Fiji?

The Diplomat  

New Fijian leader Sitiveni Rabuka proclaimed he was “humbled” as he was confirmed in late December to become the small island nation’s 12th prime minister. Dr. Sanjay Ramesh, a senior fellow in the Department of Social and Political Science at the University of Sydney, told The Diplomat that “poverty amongst Indigenous Fijians is very high, as much as 70 percent …

PM Modi congratulates Fiji's new premier Sitiveni Rabuka, hopes to further bolster ties between two nations
2 years ago

PM Modi congratulates Fiji's new premier Sitiveni Rabuka, hopes to further bolster ties between two nations

India TV News  

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Saturday, extended his best wishes to Sitiveni Rabuka, the newly elected premier of Fiji. Earlier on Saturday, December 24, Rabuka, the former military commander, was sworn in as Prime Minister of Fiji, ending a tumultuous week in a fragile Pacific democracy. Rabuka's rise to the country's top post Rabuka, the head of the People’s Alliance …

Fiji: Final results show general election deadlocked with all votes counted
2 years ago

Fiji: Final results show general election deadlocked with all votes counted

Firstpost  

Incumbent Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama’s Fiji First party and a coalition led by Sitiveni Rabuka were both projected to secure 26 seats in the 55-seat legislature, according to a Fijian Election Office tally posted online Suva, Fiji: Final results showed Fiji’s tumultuous general election deadlocked Sunday, with two rival ex-coup leaders failing to win a clear majority of seats in …

Pacific nation leaders in Washington as US seeks to deepen ties
2 years, 2 months ago

Pacific nation leaders in Washington as US seeks to deepen ties

Al Jazeera  

The US is elevating its engagement with the Pacific as Beijing increases its presence in the region. Anna Powles, a Pacific security expert at New Zealand’s Massey University, told Al Jazeera that the inaugural summit is about demonstrating the US “is engaged and committed in the Pacific”. Two sources within Solomon Islands’s parliament confirmed to Al Jazeera that Prime Minister …

China wanted a swift diplomatic victory in the Pacific. But the region's leaders won't be rushed
2 years, 6 months ago

China wanted a swift diplomatic victory in the Pacific. But the region's leaders won't be rushed

ABC  

Henry Puna has had a torrid time of it recently. Late on Saturday, all eyes swivelled to Suva as China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi landed in Fiji's capital, his fourth stop on an island-hopping tour covering no fewer than eight Pacific Island countries. China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi speaks in Fiji shortly after Pacific nations walked away from a sweeping …

China’s foreign minister arrives in Tonga on Pacific tour
2 years, 6 months ago

China’s foreign minister arrives in Tonga on Pacific tour

Associated Press  

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi arrived in Tonga on Tuesday as he continued his regional island-hopping tour a day after failing to ink an ambitious deal with 10 South Pacific nations. In Tonga, Wang met with King Tupou VI and Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni and signed several agreements with Sovaleni that covered everything from disaster management …

China fails to ink bold deal with Pacific Island states, finds smaller wins
2 years, 6 months ago

China fails to ink bold deal with Pacific Island states, finds smaller wins

Firstpost  

China’s foreign minister Wang Yi was in Fiji to co-host a key meeting with the foreign ministers from the 10 island nations Suva, Fiji: China fell short Monday on a bold plan to have 10 Pacific nations endorse a sweeping new agreement covering everything from security to fisheries as some in the region expressed deep concerns. Panuelo called it “the …

China, Pacific islands unable to reach consensus on security pact
2 years, 6 months ago

China, Pacific islands unable to reach consensus on security pact

The Hindu  

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi on May 30 urged the Pacific region not to be "too anxious" about his country's aims after a meeting in Fiji with his counterparts from 10 island nations was unable to agree to a sweeping trade and security communique. Wang hosted the meeting with Foreign Ministers from Pacific island nations with diplomatic ties with China …

China, Pacific islands fail to reach consensus on security pact
2 years, 6 months ago

China, Pacific islands fail to reach consensus on security pact

Al Jazeera  

Wang Yi urges Pacific region not to be ‘too anxious’ about China’s aims after failing to agree on a sweeping security deal. Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi and counterparts in 10 Pacific Island nations failed to reach consensus at talks on a sweeping security and trade deal amid concerns the proposal could “threaten regional stability”. “Because the common development and …

China eyes security pact in talks with Pacific islands in Fiji
2 years, 6 months ago

China eyes security pact in talks with Pacific islands in Fiji

Al Jazeera  

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is holding talks with his counterparts from 10 Pacific island nations in Fiji as part of a diplomatic tour that has stirred deep Western concern. “It will take more than one visit to change minds.” He added, “The West needs to be concerned, but not frantic.” The latest proposal from China comes weeks after it …

Fiji to join Biden’s economic framework aimed at countering China
2 years, 6 months ago

Fiji to join Biden’s economic framework aimed at countering China

Al Jazeera  

Fiji will become the 14th country and first Pacific island nation to join US President Joe Biden’s signature economic framework, the White House announced on Friday, delivering a boost to Washington’s efforts to counter growing Chinese influence in the Asia Pacific. So it is likely that Fiji decided that joining IPEF’s clean pillar might be one way to help address …

China’s foreign minister starts Pacific tour in the Solomons
2 years, 6 months ago

China’s foreign minister starts Pacific tour in the Solomons

Associated Press  

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi and a 20-strong delegation arrived in the Solomon Islands Thursday at the start of an eight-nation tour that comes amid growing concerns about Beijing’s military and financial ambitions in the South Pacific region. “We are a partner that won’t erode Pacific priorities or Pacific institutions.” Meanwhile, the Media Association of Solomon …

New Foreign Minister Penny Wong to visit Fiji after returning from Quad meeting
2 years, 6 months ago

New Foreign Minister Penny Wong to visit Fiji after returning from Quad meeting

ABC  

Penny Wong will fly to Fiji on Thursday on her first solo overseas trip as Foreign Minister. Key points: An Australian official said there was a "clear symbolism" in Senator Wong's decision The Albanese Government has promised to boost aid to the Pacific countries Local journalists say Beijing is pressuring Honiara to restrict media access to a press event Senator …

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visiting multiple nations as Pacific push continues
2 years, 6 months ago

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visiting multiple nations as Pacific push continues

ABC  

China's government has confirmed that its Foreign Minister Wang Yi will today embark on a Pacific trip of unprecedented scope and ambition, travelling to eight countries across the region in 10 days. Key points: Wang Yi is expected to visit at least eight Pacific nations in a bid to build economic and security ties in the region The tour has …

China's foreign minister, Wang Yi, arriving for Pacific Islands visit
2 years, 7 months ago

China's foreign minister, Wang Yi, arriving for Pacific Islands visit

ABC  

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi looks set to visit at least five Pacific Islands nations over the coming two weeks in a marathon trip designed to signal Beijing's broader ambitions in the Pacific and strengthen China's commercial and security ties with the region. Key points: A Chinese delegation will attend meetings in Honiara to sign controversial new agreements Solomon Islands …

Fiji expects more Chinese tourists to enjoy tropical paradise after COVID-19 pandemic
4 years, 4 months ago

Fiji expects more Chinese tourists to enjoy tropical paradise after COVID-19 pandemic

China Daily  

The island country of Fiji is becoming a hot destination among Chinese tourists for its diverse and unique attractions, including tropical scenery, pristine nature, marine life, culture and friendly people. As a South Pacific island nation with unique culture and natural beauty, Fiji appreciates the contribution Chinese tourists have made to its tourism over the past years, and Chinese tourists …

Fiji expects more Chinese tourists to enjoy tropical paradise after COVID-19 pandemic
4 years, 4 months ago

Fiji expects more Chinese tourists to enjoy tropical paradise after COVID-19 pandemic

China Daily  

The island country of Fiji is becoming a hot destination among Chinese tourists for its diverse and unique attractions, including tropical scenery, pristine nature, marine life, culture and friendly people. As a South Pacific island nation with unique culture and natural beauty, Fiji appreciates the contribution Chinese tourists have made to its tourism over the past years, and Chinese tourists …

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