The Belt and Road Initiative has spurred investment, trade and bilateral cooperation across the far reaches of the globe. The South Pacific archipelago of Fiji is one nation to have benefited from the strategic blueprint, showing just how inclusive the Initiative is, and how it can facilitate development in regions off the beaten Silk Road.

Comprising over 300 islands, Fiji thrives on tourism. The number of tourists to the nation continues to rise and in 2016, there were almost 800,000 arrivals. While tourism accounts for one-third of the country’s GDP, there's great potential for growth. And Chinese investors have an eye on the prize. 

Li Haolin is general manager of Guangdong Silkroad Ark Investment Company in Fiji, which is in the midst of building a beachside hotel. Rather aptly, the hotel’s design represents the merging of cultures. “The design is in line with Fiji’s local customs and the culture of the ancient Silk Road. Our investment will not only boost local tourism and the hotel industry, but also provide employment to many local people.”

Another lucrative sector in Fiji is cosmetics, with many splurging on the country’s world-famous skin-care products. Chinese businessman Shan Yuqiang, general manager of Fiji International Trade Company, saw an opportunity, and is now selling these products in the Chinese market.

He said, “Fiji's natural skin care products are very famous. Many Hollywood stars like it. So after negotiations with the producer, I got the dealership for their products in China. After President Xi’s visit to Fiji in 2014, Chinese people got to know Fiji a lot better. And our business is good.”

Shan has an assistant, named Krishneel Manish Chand, a Fijian who loves Chinese culture and speaks fluent Chinese. The young man said Chinese investment has changed locals’ lives.

“China is helping us. It not only helps our country to improve in multiple ways, we are also learning from it. We can see people’s lives have changed a lot in Fiji. We have investment coming in, providing us with work opportunities.” Chand said. 

For the past two years, more than 40 percent of Fiji’s international investment has come from China. Establishing diplomatic relations in 1975, the two nations have come a long way and are seeing their best period in bilateral ties thus far. The relationship is on an upward trajectory and will continue to grow as their cooperation deepens under the Belt and Road Initiative.