CathNews New Zealand

When Wu Bangguo, chairman of the Standing Committee of China’s National People’s Congress met with Fiji President Epeli Nailatikau in Fiji last Friday he said China believed that all countries, big or small, rich or poor, strong or weak, are equal members of the international community, and that international affairs should be handled by all countries through consultation on an equal footing.

“China has always opposed those big, rich or strong countries bullying the small, poor or weak ones,” Wu added.

According to blogger and journalist Graham Davis, while Wu was careful in his public comments not to mention any country by name, the message to Australia and NZ is blunt: Stop bullying Fiji. Stop isolating it. China will continue to try to persuade you to engage with Fiji in a constructive way and on an equal footing.

Guo Chunmei, an expert on Australian studies at China Institute of Contemporary International Relations, said China’s aid and support to the civic development and infrastructure of Pacificisland countries has been consistent and selfless.

She said the new agreements signed on Friday, including the planned favorable loans,answered Fiji’s urgent need to develop its economy. Fiji’s relations with Australia and NewZealand were strained after the two countries condemned the Pacific island nation’s coup in 2006. Recently, the two countries began to show an interest in restoring diplomatic ties with Fiji.

“And different from other countries, China does not provide aid motivated by gains,” Guo said.

Source

• ChinaDailyUSA
• Grubsheet
• China Daily
• Image: Xinhua

Additional reading

• China, Fiji ink three pacts, vow closer relations
• Radio Australia -Top Chinese Official visits Fiji
• The Lowy Institute - Optimism about Fiji takes a blow

News category: Asia Pacific.