Chinese President Xi Jinping and Fijian President Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu exchanged congratulatory messages on Wednesday to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Fiji, pledging to further strengthen cooperation and elevate their long-standing friendship.
In his message, President Xi highlighted the historic nature of the relationship, noting that Fiji was the first Pacific Island nation to establish diplomatic ties with the People’s Republic of China. Over the past five decades, Xi said, the two countries have built a relationship based on mutual respect, equality, and win-win cooperation, supporting each other’s development paths and national interests regardless of global shifts.
Xi emphasized that cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has achieved significant results in recent years, delivering tangible benefits to both peoples. “Our collaboration in high-quality Belt and Road projects has strengthened connectivity, fostered development, and brought our nations even closer,” he said.
The Chinese president reaffirmed his commitment to advancing the partnership, expressing readiness to work with President Lalabalavu to take the golden jubilee of diplomatic ties as an opportunity to enhance political trust, expand cooperation across sectors, and elevate the China–Fiji comprehensive strategic partnership to a new level.
In his congratulatory message, President Lalabalavu described the 50th anniversary as a historic milestone in the enduring friendship between Fiji and China. He noted that the partnership, founded on mutual respect and common interests, has expanded steadily and contributed meaningfully to addressing regional and international challenges.
“The Fiji–China relationship has become more vibrant and dynamic, and we look forward to even broader prospects for cooperation in the years ahead,” Lalabalavu said, reaffirming Fiji’s commitment to maintaining close coordination with Beijing.
On the same occasion, Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka also exchanged messages, underscoring the growing importance of bilateral cooperation. Li said that China attaches great importance to its ties with Fiji and is willing to work closely to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, particularly in areas such as infrastructure, trade, climate resilience, and people-to-people exchanges.
Prime Minister Rabuka, in turn, emphasized that Fiji values its comprehensive strategic partnership with China, noting that ongoing collaboration continues to deliver real benefits to both nations. He expressed optimism about the future, saying that Fiji looks forward to expanding this partnership based on mutual respect, lasting friendship, and shared prosperity.
Both sides reaffirmed that the 50th anniversary marks not only a celebration of past achievements but also a new beginning in the journey toward a deeper, more dynamic relationship between China and Fiji.
