BEIJING: Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka will pay an official visit to China from August 12 to 21 at the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning announced on Friday.
During the visit, the leaders of the two countries will have a detailed exchange of views on China-Fiji relations and important issues of common interest, according to the ministry.
Fiji is the first Pacific island country to establish diplomatic relations with China.
China has hosted several Pacific Island leaders this year, and Rabuka is the next Pacific Island leader to visit China, the ministry said. “This speaks to the close ties between China and the South Pacific region.”
During the 49 years of diplomatic relations, China-Fiji relations have continued to make new progress, with fruitful results in exchanges and cooperation in various fields that have benefited the people of both countries.
Through this visit, China hopes to take the comprehensive strategic partnership involving mutual respect and common development to a new level, and work with Fiji to build an even closer community with a shared future between China and the Pacific island countries, the ministry said.
