Fijians can be rest assured that there are no hidden agendas associated with the recent visit of China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi according to Chinese Ambassador to Fiji, Qian Bo.
Bo says the main objective of the visit to Fiji and eight other Pacific Island countries is to achieve common development.
He has described China as a developing country adding that the recent visit by Foreign Minister Wang Yi after three years is timely as it has resumed diplomatic relations with the Solomon Islands and Kiribati.
The Chinese Ambassador to Fiji strongly believes that if China and all developing countries can achieve common development this will certainly be beneficial to the justice, harmony and stability of the Pacific region.
He has also claimed that when people talk about the so called “Chinese Influence” this is a concept that has been created by western countries.
With a huge interest generated around the visit by China’s Foreign Affairs Minister, questions were raised on whether a security agreement had also been signed with Fiji.
The Ambassador has clarified that there is only a partnership in security development with the Fiji Police Force, adding that no security agreement was signed with Fiji.
When questioned by fijivillage on reports of a Chinese military base being proposed to be established in the Pacific, Bo says this is not true.
He has also highlighted that China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with nine Pacific Foreign Ministers and the Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.
Bo says during this meeting China and the Pacific Foreign Ministers reached a five point consensus that includes deepening comprehensive partnership, safeguarding sovereignty, independence and national dignity, pursuing common development and prosperity, upholding true multilateral-ism and promoting mutual understanding among people.
