Fiji Draws a Clear Line on Military Presence
Prime Minister of Fiji, Sitiveni Rabuka, has made a powerful and clear statement against any potential Chinese military presence in the Pacific. Speaking during a visit to Australia, Mr Rabuka said his country would “not welcome” military bases from China or any outside power in the region.
He firmly told journalists, “Not on my watch,” when asked if he would allow China to build a military base in any Pacific Island nation. The Prime Minister added that as long as he held office, he would use his influence to block such moves in the broader Pacific region.
According to Mr. Rabuka, China can project power around the world without the help of foreign military installations. He said China already has advanced capabilities to reach any part of the world without needing a base outside its borders. He shared his belief that China understands this well.
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The Prime Minister acknowledged the growing size and strength of China, saying that Pacific nations must now “cope with a China that is big, really big.” He admitted that China may wish to expand its influence, but he repeated that this should not involve military bases.
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Even though Mr Rabuka took a firm stance on Chinese military bases, he also praised China’s president, Xi Jinping, for lifting millions out of poverty. He said that he does not think China is actively trying to build military bases in the Pacific right now.
He explained, “They have proven that they do not need a base outside China to be able to launch what they have into any other area of the world.”
Despite these remarks, Australia sees the situation differently. The Australian government believes that China is actively looking for a stronger security presence in the Pacific region. Australian officials have raised concerns that China might use “dual-use” infrastructure — like ports and airports — for military activities in the future.
Australian Minister for the Pacific, Pat Conroy, has said several times that Beijing is working to expand its presence, including through police and security cooperation with Pacific Island countries.
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Mihai Sora, an expert from the Lowy Institute, commented that Mr Rabuka’s statements, while helpful in one sense, show that Fiji and Australia are not fully aligned in how they view China’s goals in the region.
“My takeaway was that the Prime Minister fundamentally does not want to recognise China’s strategic intent,” Sora said.
Although Mr Rabuka has acknowledged China’s growing influence, he does not appear to connect it with a desire for greater military access in the Pacific. This difference in views may lead to challenges in regional cooperation.
Calls for Stronger Ties with Australia
During his speech in Canberra, Mr Rabuka also expressed interest in signing a new agreement or treaty with Australia. He believes the relationship between the two nations has grown stronger and that it may be time to create a formal agreement that would protect this partnership beyond political changes.
The Australian government, under Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, has recently signed new strategic agreements with several Pacific countries, including Tuvalu, Papua New Guinea, and Nauru. Talks are also underway with Tonga and Vanuatu for similar partnerships.
Mr. Rabuka stated that this new deal would help increase Australia’s contribution to Fiji, although he did not elaborate on its specifics. It would also make the relationship stronger by keeping it safe from changes in government or politics.
The Fijian Prime Minister also spoke about his new proposal for an “Ocean of Peace” strategy. This idea will be discussed at a Pacific leaders’ meeting in Solomon Islands in September.
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The “Ocean of Peace” aims to protect the Pacific region through peaceful cooperation, respect for international laws, and promoting non-coercive relationships with countries outside the region. Mr Rabuka said this plan would reflect the values of the Pacific people and ask other nations to respect the “Pacific way” — which includes respecting local customs, laws, and peaceful dialogue.
“This means respect for the Pacific way,” he said. “Respect for norms and law. No coercion.”
Mr Rabuka’s speech made it clear that Fiji wants to maintain peace, balance, and independence in the Pacific — without becoming a battleground for the world’s larger powers.