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Excerpt from www.channelnewsasia.com
BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping told visiting Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka he backed his “Ocean of Peace” plan during a meeting in Beijing on Tuesday (Aug 20), Chinese state media reported, days ahead of a summit for Pacific Island leaders in Tonga.
China also pledged to step up its trade ties with the archipelagic state, which wants to upgrade its ports and ship building, roads, and sewage infrastructure, but can only do so through securing better terms for its agricultural and fisheries exporters owing to deep debts.
“China appreciates Prime Minister Rabuka’s vision for an Ocean of Peace and is committed to working with Fiji to contribute to international peace and security,” Xi said, according to a readout released late Tuesday night.
Rabuka will visit Tonga next week for a meeting of the heads of 18 Pacific island countries and territories that will consider a regional policing proposal backed by Australia.
