Meets with Prime Minister of Fiji Sitiveni Rabuka

President Xi Jinping meets with Prime Minister of the Republic of Fiji Sitiveni Rabuka, who is on an official visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 20, 2024. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

Beijing, August 20th (Xinhua) (Reporter Wen Xin) President Xi Jinping meets with Prime Minister of the Republic of Fiji Sitiveni Rabuka, who is on an official visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 20, 2024. 

President Xi Jinping congratulates Fiji men's rugby sevens team on winning a silver medal at the Paris Olympics. President Xi Jinping pointed out that Fiji was the earliest Pacific island country to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China, and next year will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Fiji. For nearly half a century, the two countries have always supported and helped each other, becoming a model of equal treatment and friendly cooperation between large and small countries. China attaches great importance to China Fiji relations, and is willing to continue to provide assistance within its capacity for Fiji's economic and social development, grasp the general direction of bilateral relations with Fiji, promote the establishment of a community of common destiny between China and Fiji, and better benefit the two peoples.

President Xi Jinping introduced China's practices and experiences in poverty alleviation and reduction, based on Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka's visits to Yunnan, Fujian, and Zhejiang. President Xi Jinping stressed that more than 1.4 billion people have entered a moderately prosperous society in an all-round way, which is a historic achievement of the Chinese people under the leadership of the CPC and a historic contribution of China to the cause of poverty reduction and development of mankind. In this process, we have ensured that no ethnic group, region, or individual has been left behind, fully demonstrating the political advantage of the socialist system in concentrating efforts to accomplish great things, and have received sincere support and endorsement from people of all 56 ethnic groups in China. At present, China is comprehensively promoting the great cause of strengthening the country and national rejuvenation with Chinese-style modernisation. The Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China has made strategic arrangements for further deepening reform and promoting Chinese-style modernisation. Chinese-style modernisation is a modernisation that adheres to the path of peaceful development. China and Fiji are also part of the "Global South". China is willing to help Fiji and other Pacific island countries to cope with climate change, strengthen development cooperation, and make the Pacific Ocean of Peace, Friendship and Cooperation.

President Xi Jinping meets with Prime Minister of the Republic of Fiji Sitiveni Rabuka, who is on an official visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 20, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan)

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka congratulated the Chinese sports delegation on achieving excellent results at the Paris Olympics. Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka stated that he visited China as the Prime Minister 30 years ago. During his visit, he visited Yunnan, Fujian, Zhejiang and other places, witnessing firsthand the great miracles and achievements China has made in poverty alleviation and development under the leadership of President Xi Jinping. I hope to learn from China's advanced concepts and successful experiences, especially by going deep into the grassroots, listening to the voices of the people, and strengthening cooperation with China in areas such as poverty reduction, infrastructure, and connectivity. Fiji appreciates China's adherence to the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, supports a series of global initiatives proposed by President Xi Jinping, and is willing to continue to work with China to build the "Belt and Road", promote the development of relations between Pacific island countries and China, and make the Pacific Ocean a peaceful ocean.

Both sides issued a joint statement between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Fiji.

Wang Yi attended the meeting.