Fiji Pushes Back on China’s Military Ambitions, Calls for Pacific Unity
Udumbara
In a rebuke of Beijing’s growing influence in the Pacific, Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka declared during a visit to Australia last week that his country will not allow China to build military bases in the region—and urged other Pacific nations to unite in resisting China’s geopolitical ambitions.
A Regional Turning Point
Fiji’s stance is the latest sign of a shifting power dynamic in the South Pacific.Why Fiji Took a Stand
Shen Ming-Shih, a senior research fellow at Taiwan’s Institute for National Defense and Security Research, said that Rabuka’s statement reflects more than just diplomacy and that it is a calculated strategic move.“First, Fiji is working to lower military tensions in the region, wary of antagonizing major security partners like the United States and Australia,” he told The Epoch Times. “[Fiji] wishes to retain economic and security assistance from these democratic states.”
Second, Shen believes that Rabuka likely made the comments with the backing—or at least the encouragement—of Washington and Canberra. Such support likely emboldened Fiji to take a public stance against the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), Shen said.
Third, Fiji hopes to rally other Pacific nations to adopt a united front.
Ending Police Ties With China
In addition to public statements, Fiji has taken concrete actions to limit Beijing’s influence on its soil.This decision followed growing concerns over Chinese law enforcement’s presence in nearby countries, such as the Solomon Islands and Kiribati, where Beijing has already deployed police forces, along with maritime surveillance vessels in the region.
Pacific Strategy of Unity and Peace
Rabuka is also championing a new regional initiative, the “Ocean of Peace,” designed to strengthen the sovereignty and solidarity of Pacific Island nations. The proposal aims to push back against foreign coercion, whether economic or military, and is expected to be discussed at the Pacific Islands Forum summit in September. The initiative includes all 18 member nations and is drawing attention from both regional and global powers.According to William Chung, an assistant researcher at the Taiwan Institute for National Defense, China’s outreach in the South Pacific is not only about challenging United States and Australian dominance, but also about undercutting Taiwan’s diplomatic presence. The Pacific remains one of the few regions where Taiwan still has formal allies.
Western Aid Gains Ground
In response to China’s growing influence, the United States and its allies have dramatically increased aid and infrastructure investments in the Pacific. Since 2022, Washington has pledged more than $4 billion in assistance through its Indo-Pacific Strategy, targeting maritime security, renewable energy, and digital infrastructure.A Geopolitical Battleground Emerges
While the Pacific Islands may seem remote to many Americans, the region is becoming a new front in the global contest between democracy and authoritarianism, say experts. Rabuka’s speech may be remembered as a key moment when the tide began to turn.“These nations face chronic budget constraints and fragile governance,” said Chung. “Instead of siding with the CCP, it’s better for them to remain neutral between China and the United States and benefit from both sides.”
Nevertheless, when it comes to security, allowing a Chinese military base would be a game-changer that could shatter the current balance, according to Chung.
Fiji’s statement may be just the beginning. As the Pacific Islands step into a more prominent role in international geopolitics, a new regional order—one that prioritizes sovereignty, collective security, and peace—is apparently emerging.
