Fiji’s newly elected PM, Sitiveni Rabuka, announced on Thursday that his government would terminate a police training deal with China owing to the difference in their systems.
Rescindment
Rabuka told The Fiji Times on Thursday that there was “no need” for his country to continue the agreement as Fiji and China’s “systems are different.”
“Our system of democracy and justice systems are different so we will go back to those that have similar systems with us,” he stated.
#LOCALNEWS Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says there is no need for Chinese state security personnel to continue working in the Fiji Police Force. #TimesNews #FijiNews #FijiPol https://t.co/bZg93NR0IH
— The Fiji Times (@fijitimes) January 25, 2023
The PM also said that police officers from other countries, such as Australia and New Zealand, would be allowed to stay in the country, as their systems were similar to that of Fiji.
Fiji-China Police Deal
The Fiji Police Force and China’s Ministry of Public Security signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in 2011, which allowed Fijian police officers to undergo training in China, while Chinese officers were deployed to Fiji on attachment programs for three to six months.
In September 2021, their police cooperation efforts peaked after a Chinese Police Liaison officer was appointed to be based in Fiji.
The COMPOL Brigadier General Sitiveni Qiliho has conveyed the Fiji Police’s appreciation to the outgoing @ChineseEmb_FJ H.E. Qian Bo for his support towards the enhancement of police to police cooperation between Fiji and China.https://t.co/WQnbSQxDEo pic.twitter.com/qikBWnIg4X
— Fiji Police Media (@fiji_force) November 26, 2022
Chinese Presence in the Region
Last April, the Solomon Islands confirmed it had signed a wide-ranging security pact with China.
Western governments fear the deal will increase Beijing’s military foothold in the South Pacific, as the agreement’s text indicates that it would allow China to base navy warships in the Pacific.
The deal may also allow Beijing to station Chinese armed police, military, and “other law enforcement and armed forces” in the Solomons. Concerningly, it further outlines the potential for establishing a naval base on the island.
Changing Regional Dynamic
China’s deal with the Solomon Islands brings the region, which was previously ignored, into the spotlight.
In June, Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong said during a trip to Samoa and Tonga that Australia would “renew and strengthen” ties with Pacific island nations after they rejected China’s regionwide economic and security deal.
“We understand that we need to work together like never before, for our peoples and for generations to come,” Wong stated.