CHINA OFFERS RED CARPET TREAT TO FIJI AND PACIFIC
NO INTEREST IN GEOPOLITICAL COMPETITION, BUT AIMS TO IMPROVE LIVELIHOODS Zhou Jian: When we developed relations with Fiji, we never interfered into your internal affairs. We never attached any political strings and we never so-called sought sphere of infl
China has no interest in geopolitical competition, but is open to continuing pursuit of a security pact with Fiji.
According to China’s Ambassador to Fiji, Zhou Jian, China’s relationship with Fiji is a comprehensive strategic partnership extending to all fields.
Responding to earlier statements by Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, who ruled out a security pact with China, Mr Zhou said security cooperations between the two countries had always been transparent, inclusive and professional.
China’s presence in the South Pacific, he said was to build roads and bridges and improve people’s livelihood, not to station troops or build military bases. “China will continue to uphold the principle of mutual respect, equal treatment and win-win cooperation, openness and inclusiveness to deepen relations with Fiji,” Mr Zhou said. “When we developed relations with Fiji we never interfered into your internal affairs.
“We never attached any political strings and we never sought so-called sphere of influence or any geopolitical self-interest.
“We have conducted such kind of cooperation for many years but it has never had any negative impact on Fiji’s sovereignty and security.
“It has never impaired your judicial system but enhanced the professional abilities of personnel and promoted their capabilities to safeguard public security and national security.” Mr Zhou said some western media viewed the China-Fiji security cooperation with bias and smeared China’s cooperation with Pacific countries through disinformation which was harmful to China and the countries concerned.
Similar cooperation with other countries was a show of political mutual trust.
“Practice has proven that cooperation with china will not harm your cooperation with other countries, but will mobilise more countries input in Fiji, so adhering to independence is strategically important to Fiji,” he said.
“Whether China will continue to pursue a security pact with Fiji, we are open to that and we will follow Fiji’s needs and requirements.”
China Development Cooperation Agency
Meanwhile, a delegation from the China Development Cooperation Agency will be in the country on March 21 to sign an agreement with the Fijian Government.
Led by its vice-president, the delegation will explore opportunities of improving economic cooperation with Fiji.
Peace Ark
Furthermore, the Chinese hospital ship of the People’s Liberation Army Navy, MV Peace Ark will arrive into the country next month to offer humanitarian medical service to Fijians free of charge.
Mr Zhou said he had engaged Fiji’s Ministry of Health to identify medical areas of need for the visiting team to cover.
The ship was in Fiji in 2018 from August 2-9 providing a series of medical services including health physical check, outpatient service, as well as medical exchange and cooperation.
In 2014 the ship provided outpatient services for 22,211 persons/times, auxiliary ex-amination such as CT and DR for 10,268 persons/times, and successfully per-formed 212 operations onboard in the Pacific Island countries that she visited.