Ambassador Qian Bo

The Chinese Embassy in Fiji has refuted claims and media reports of China’s increasing influence in Fiji and other South Pacific Island countries.

Ambassador Qian Bo, says he will term China’s presence in the region a ‘relationship’.

“If you talk about the influence, I would rather say the relationship between China and the South Pacific countries are improving and strengthening.”

Bo reveals that the South Pacific is not the only place where their presence is known.

“Even China’s relationship with Australia and NZ and USA. Our relations with those countries are improving and strengthening. I’m referring to people, people exchanges and the trade, and the investment and better understanding of the two sides.”

He reiterates that China is Fiji’s and the South Pacific’s friend in all weather conditions and there is no Chinese influence at all.