Current:Home > FinanceFijian prime minister ‘more comfortable dealing with traditional friends’ like Australia than China -WealthSync Hub
Fijian prime minister ‘more comfortable dealing with traditional friends’ like Australia than China
View
Date:2025-04-17 04:00:32
CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Fiji’s prime minister said Wednesday on a visit to Australia’s capital that his government was “more comfortable dealing with traditional friends” such as Australia as China pursues closer security ties in the Asia-Pacific region.
Sitiveni Rabuka and Australia’s Anthony Albanese met during the Fijian’s first state visit to Australia since he most recently came to power in December last year. The 75-year-old former army colonel and coup leader had previously been Fiji’s prime minister from 1992 until 1999.
Rabuka sided with Australia in what he described as the “rivalry” and “one-upmanship“ between the United States and China.
“We’re more comfortable dealing with traditional friends, that we have similar systems of government, that our democracies are the same brand of democracy, coming out of the Westminster system,” Rabuka told reporters.
“Our justice system, our policing system -- we’re more comfortable with friends that we have had over a longer period,” Rabuka added.
But Rabuka cautioned against countries appearing to be aggressive toward friends and neighbors with whom they had cordial relations.
The two leaders announced several developments in their bilateral relationship including an elevation of the Fiji-Australia Vuvale Partnership, a 2019 agreement on closer cooperation, consultation and friendship.
Australia agreed to sell Fiji 14 Australian-built Bushmaster armored military vehicles and to reach an agreement on cybersecurity cooperation.
Albanese said Australia would provide Fiji with more financial support to help economic recovery after the coronavirus pandemic devastated the country’s tourism industry.
Rabuka said Fiji’s tourist numbers and tourism income had rebounded to pre-COVID levels, with Australia the largest source of visitors.
Australia and the United States have stepped up their engagement with the region since last year when China struck a security pact with the Solomon Islands that raised concerns of a Chinese naval base being established in the South Pacific.
China has also proposed a region-wide security and economic deal with Pacific Island nations but several countries have resisted.
Rabuka said he had been “honored” when Albanese phoned him in March to say that Australia, the United States and Britain would announce in San Diego the following day an agreement on nuclear-powered submarines.
Under the AUKUS agreement, Australia will buy three Virginia-class submarines from the United States and build five new AUKUS-class submarines in cooperation with Britain in response to China’s growing influence.
Rabuka said Albanese had called to alert him of the deal “because we’re family.”
But during a discussion on the AUKUS deal on Tuesday, Rabuka stopped short of endorsing the increased military cooperation.
“I was not part of the planning. I’m in no position to try to stop it. This is a tripartite strategic project,” Rabuka said.
“All I can do is hope that this project will assist the concept of the zone of peace in the Pacific,” he said.
Rabuka plans to ask that the 18-nation Pacific Islands Forum endorse his zone of peace proposal at a meeting in the Cook Islands in November.
The proposal could include nations refraining from actions that jeopardize regional order and stability while respecting neighbors’ sovereignty and territorial integrity, he said
veryGood! (8)
Related
- NHL in ASL returns, delivering American Sign Language analysis for Deaf community at Winter Classic
- Reality TV star Julie Chrisley to be re-sentenced in bank fraud and tax evasion case
- Baltimore City Is Investing in Wetlands Restoration For Climate Resiliency and Adaptation. Scientists Warn About Unintended Consequences
- Meta unveils cheaper VR headset, AI updates and shows off prototype for holographic AR glasses
- Mets have visions of grandeur, and a dynasty, with Juan Soto as major catalyst
- Evacuation order remains in effect for Ohio town where dangerous chemical leak occurred
- Another Outer Banks home collapses into North Carolina ocean, the 3rd to fall since Friday
- Top Muslim-voter organization endorses Harris as Middle East conflict escalates
- Megan Fox's ex Brian Austin Green tells Machine Gun Kelly to 'grow up'
- Las Vegas Aces, New York Liberty advance, will meet in semifinals of 2024 WNBA playoffs
Ranking
- IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
- Tia Mowry Speaks Out After Sharing She Isn't Close to Twin Sister Tamera Mowry
- Anna Delvey Sums Up Her Dancing With the Stars Experience With Just One Word
- Rapper Fatman Scoop died of heart disease, medical examiner says
- Which apps offer encrypted messaging? How to switch and what to know after feds’ warning
- The Masked Singer Reveals That Made Fans' Jaws Drop
- Maryland files lawsuit against cargo ship owners in Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse
- Back with the Chiefs, running back Kareem Hunt wants to prove he’s matured, still has something left
Recommendation
Nearly half of US teens are online ‘constantly,’ Pew report finds
Crazy Town frontman Shifty Shellshock's cause of death revealed
It's Banned Books Week: Most challenged titles and how publishers are pushing back
These women spoke out about Diddy years ago. Why didn't we listen?
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow owns a $3 million Batmobile Tumbler
Anna Sorokin eliminated from ‘Dancing With the Stars’ in first round of cuts
These women spoke out about Diddy years ago. Why didn't we listen?
Jack Schlossberg Reveals His Family's Reaction to His Crazy Social Media Videos