On the afternoon of March 21, 2025, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) Zhao Leiji held talks with Speaker of the Parliament of Fiji Filimone Jitoko at the Great Hall of the People.
Zhao Leji said that over the past 50 years since the establishment of China-Fiji diplomatic relations, both sides have upheld mutual respect, equality, and win-win cooperation, and achieved tangible cooperation results. In August last year, President Xi Jinping met with Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka during his visit to China and jointly drew up a new blueprint for China-Fiji relations. China is ready to work with Fiji to deliver on the important common understandings reached between the leaders of the two countries and promote the sustained, sound, and stable development of the China-Fiji comprehensive strategic partnership.
Zhao Leji noted that China always firmly supports Fiji in safeguarding its sovereignty, independence and national dignity, and highly appreciates Fiji's commitment to the one-China principle and its firm support on issues related to China's core interests and major concerns. The two sides should continue to strengthen policy communication and consolidate the political foundation for the sound development of bilateral relations. The two sides should seek greater synergy between development strategies and promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. Zhao Leji called on both countries to create more cooperation results in such fields as economy, trade, investment, infrastructure, agriculture and fisheries, while enhancing exchanges in areas such as culture and youth. The two sides should implement the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative and Global Civilization Initiative put forth by President Xi Jinping, strengthen multilateral coordination, and promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. Noting special concerns regarding the issues of climate change response of Fiji and other Pacific Island countries, Zhao Leji said China is ready to deepen cooperation with Fiji on green and low-carbon development to jointly address climate change, which is a global challenge.
Zhao Leji stressed that China's NPC attaches great importance to developing friendly and cooperative relations with the Parliament of Fiji and is ready to enhance exchanges at all levels of the legislative bodies, formulate and improve legal documents conducive to practical cooperation between the two countries, and strengthen cooperation in multilateral mechanisms such as the Asian Parliamentary Assembly. China's NPC has been holding seminars for parliamentarians from developing countries for several years, exchanging and sharing experience in such aspects as reform and development, poverty reduction and alleviation, and the development of the rule of law. More members of the Parliament of Fiji are welcome to visit China.
Zhao Leji gave a briefing on the Third Session of the 14th NPC. He stated that the two sides can enhance mutual learning in developing democracy and improving the rule of law to better serve the development of their respective countries.
Filimone Jitoko said, this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Fiji and China. Fiji firmly abides by the one-China principle, upholds the authority of United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758, supports the series of global initiatives and the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind put forth by President Xi Jinping, and is willing to deepen Belt and Road cooperation. He thanked China for its long-term selfless assistance to Fiji's economic and social development. The Parliament of Fiji is willing to strengthen exchanges with China's NPC and make greater contributions to advancing the development of Fiji-China relations.
Shohrat Zakir attended the talks.