The Chinese Embassy in Fiji noticed that certain Australian media outlets have been hyping up China-related comments made by Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka when he took questions from the media at the National Press Club in Australia. The spokesperson of the Embassy hereby makes the following clarifications. 

I. On “Pacific Island Countries cope with a China that is seeking to spread its influence”

The Embassy noticed Prime Minister Rabuka commented that China stood with Fiji when Australia turned away. He remarked that Fiji and China respect each other’s sovereignty and we have not had any intrusion into our sovereign space. He commended Chinese President Xi Jinping as a great leader, and praised the role of China in infrastructure development in the region. 

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pacific Island countries. The everlasting friendship between the two sides has transcended mountains and seas. Regardless of changes in the international landscape, China has always regarded Pacific Island Countries as good friends, good partners, and good brothers. China has always adhered to the “four full respects” principle on developing relations with Pacific Island Countries, namely fully respecting the sovereignty and independence of Pacific Island Countries, fully respecting their will, fully respecting their ethnic and cultural traditions, and fully respecting their efforts to seek strength through unity. 

For decades, what China has been doing in the region are practical matters such as renovating roads and building bridges, challenging matters that respond to people’s urgent concerns, and good matters that uphold regional solidarity and stability. Through concrete projects like roads, bridges, stadiums, schools, and China-aided technologies like juncao and rice, we’ve helped Pacific Island Countries build self-reliance while delivering tangible benefits. These achievements stand as enduring monuments to China-Pacific Island Countries cooperation. These achievements can never be erased by smears.

China has no interest in geopolitical competition, or seeking the so-called “sphere of influence”. There is no political strings attached to China’s assistance, no imposing one’s will onto others, and no empty promises. China advocates for all countries to uphold Pacific Island Countries’ autonomy in making decisions, putting development first, and staying open and inclusive when developing relations with Pacific Island Countries. China always believes that the Pacific is the homeland of the people of Pacific Island Countries, not the backyard of big powers outside the region. The Pacific is a stage for cooperation, not a battlefield for vicious competition. It makes no sense to view China’s sincere help to Pacific Island Countries from the narrow perspective of geo-competition. Forcing Pacific Island Countries to “choose sides” can never address the urgent demands for development of the people from the Pacific Island Countries, nor the common threat of climate change to mankind. 

II. On the Taiwan question

The one-China principle is a universally recognized basic norm governing international relations and a prevailing international consensus. There is but one China in the world. Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory. The government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China. China firmly opposes “Taiwan independence” in all forms and commits to realizing national reunification. This position was reiterated at the third China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in May, and gained wide understanding and support of participating countries including Fiji. 

The Taiwan question is China’s internal affair that involves China’s core interests and the Chinese people’s national sentiments, and brooks no external interference. “Taiwan independence” separatist activities and external forces that abet and aid them are the ones that undermine peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. If certain countries truly want peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, they should follow the prevailing trend of international commitment to the one-China principle, abide by their political commitments made to China, earnestly respect China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and oppose “Taiwan independence” in any form.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations 50 years ago, successive Fijian governments have firmly upheld the one-China Principle. President Lalabalavu, Prime Minister Rabuka, Speaker of Parliament Jitoko, and other cabinet ministers have repeatedly reaffirmed their commitment to the one-China Principle, which is highly appreciated. We believe the Fijian government will continue to steadfastly uphold the one-China Principle. 

III. On “China setting up a military base in the Pacific islands”

The Embassy noticed that Prime Minister Rabuka said he did not believe that China need a base in the Pacific. 

The claims about “China setting up a military base in the Pacific” are false narratives. They are baseless and driven by ulterior motives. China’s presence in the Pacific is focused on building roads and bridges to improve people’s livelihoods, not on stationing troops or setting up military bases. Never has China stirred up any dispute in the Pacific Region, violated any inch of land from Pacific Island Countries, or signed any agreement that forced Pacific Island Countries to sacrifice their sovereignty. China remains firmly committed to the international nuclear non-proliferation regime with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons as the cornerstone and to the Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty. We firmly support Pacific Island Countries in playing a bigger role in regional and international affairs, and will maintain communication with Pacific Island Countries on major international and regional hotspot issues to make positive contributions to the peace and stability of the Pacific region. 

China and Fiji are comprehensive strategic partners, and security cooperation is part of our bilateral relations. China applauds Prime Minister Rabuka’s vision for the Pacific as an “Ocean of Peace”, and is committed to work with Fiji in contributing to peace and security in the region and beyond. 

The spokesperson of the Embassy emphasizes that the Pacific Ocean is large enough to accommodate win-win cooperation among all countries. China sincerely calls on relevant parties to avoid viewing China-Fiji and China-Pacific Island Countries relations through the narrow lens of geopolitical games, hyping up the so-called threats of geopolitical competition in the region, forcing Pacific Island Countries to “take sides”, and imposing their own interests on these countries. Instead, we urge them to do more concrete things that contribute to the development of Pacific Island Countries and the well-being of the people.