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Chinese investments boost Fiji ties as Beijing seeks major Pacific deal

  • Foreign Minister Wang Yi is touring the South Pacific amid growing international concern about Beijing’s plans for the region
  • Federated States of Micronesia pushes back at plans, warning it will heighten geopolitical instability

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China Railway employee Georgina Matilda regards the country favourably. Photo: AP

For Georgina Matilda, working for Chinese infrastructure company China Railway means that she can put food on the table for her children.

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Like many Fijians, Matilda sees a benefit in foreign investment wherever it comes from, so long as it uplifts the people.

President of Fiji, Ratu Wiliame Katonivere (left) watches as Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi signs the visitors book at the State House in Suva. Photo: AP
President of Fiji, Ratu Wiliame Katonivere (left) watches as Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi signs the visitors book at the State House in Suva. Photo: AP

“I think Chinese is good coming in Fiji,” said another Fijian, Miliane Rokolita. “They bring us bigger houses. They bring money in Fiji. They’re good people.”

The welcoming attitude by many in Fiji and elsewhere in the South Pacific comes as Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi sweeps through on an island-hopping tour amid growing international concerns about Beijing’s military and financial ambitions in the region.

On Monday, Wang hosts a key meeting in Fiji with foreign ministers from 10 Pacific nations he hopes will endorse a sweeping new agreement covering everything from security to fisheries.

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But some nations are pushing back. David Panuelo, president of the Federated States of Micronesia, has told other leaders he will not endorse the plan, warning them in a letter that it would needlessly heighten geopolitical tensions and threaten regional stability.

Panuelo called it “the single most game-changing proposed agreement in the Pacific in any of our lifetimes” and said it “threatens to bring a new cold war era at best, and a world war at worst”.

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