Premier Li calls for pushing China-Fiji cooperation to new level in talks with Fiji's PM

China is ready to work with Fiji to push practical cooperation between the two countries to a new level to better promote common development, Chinese Premier Li Qiang said on Sunday while meeting with Fiji's Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka in Beijing.

Noting that Fiji is the first Pacific Island country to have established diplomatic ties with China, Li said the Chinese side always regards Fiji as one of the most important partners in the South Pacific region.

He said China is ready to work with Fiji to continue to be each other's trustworthy friends, and enhance exchanges at various levels to promote the sound and stable development of the China-Fiji comprehensive strategic partnership to better benefit the two peoples.

Li called on the two sides to further leverage their complementary advantages and deepen cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, agriculture and fishery, light industry, education, tourism, and poverty reduction under the high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.

China is willing to import more high-quality products from Fiji, and support Chinese-funded enterprises to invest and establish businesses in Fiji, he said.

As the two countries are both members of the Global South, the Chinese premier said China supports Pacific Island countries in implementing the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, calling for advocating an equal and orderly multi-polar world and inclusive economic globalization that benefits all.

Thanking China's selfless assistance in Fiji's difficult times, Rabuka, for his part, said the Fijian side always regards China as a trustworthy partner.

Fiji firmly adheres to the one-China principle and supports the Belt and Road Initiative and a series of important initiatives proposed by China, he said, expressing willingness to further deepen cooperation in fields including economy and trade, infrastructure, tourism and connectivity to open up broad prospects for the two countries' partnership.

He added the Fijian side is ready to work with China to enhance communication and coordination, and promote cooperative relations between Pacific Island countries and China.

After the meeting, Li and Rabuka witnessed the signing of several bilateral cooperation documents in areas such as trade and infrastructure.