Fiji is set to reap significant benefits as it strengthens its partnership with the Chinese mainland, focusing on infrastructure development and poverty reduction. This collaboration was underscored during a meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka in Beijing on August 20.
The leaders emphasized building a China-Fiji community with a shared future, highlighting initiatives that aim to improve the quality of life for Fijians, particularly those in rural areas. Existing cooperation between the two nations is expected to have a trickle-down effect, enhancing the well-being of Fiji's population in the Global South.
Fiji, classified as an upper middle-income economy by the World Bank, fares better than some of its Pacific counterparts like Kiribati and Tuvalu. However, it still grapples with high levels of rural poverty and inequality. This presents an opportunity for the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to play a pivotal role in fostering rural empowerment and building essential infrastructure.
A prime example of this collaboration is the China-assisted development project on the Fijian island of Vanua Levu. The project includes upgrading roads, improving access to hospitals for impoverished communities, and providing vital civic facilities. These efforts are geared towards reducing income disparities, creating employment opportunities, and enhancing livelihoods for rural Fijians, who make up nearly half of the population.
Through these strategic investments, Fiji aims to achieve greater prosperity and resilience, ensuring a brighter future for its residents and strengthening its position in the global landscape.
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Fiji benefits from enhancing its existing partnership with China
cgtn.com
