BY INOKE MALOVESI RABONU
Digital Lead/Senior Journalist, Fiji Sun, Fiji
For Fiji, discussions on China and global governance are best viewed through the country’s longstanding foreign policy of being “friends to all and enemies to none. ”
As geopolitical competition intensifies between major powers, Fiji has consistently maintained that its foreign policy is guided by national interests rather than alignment with any one bloc. Instead, it seeks constructive partnerships with all countries that contribute to its development, security and prosperity.
China is one of Fiji’s important development partners, contributing to infrastructure, trade, education and investment. At the same time, Fiji continues to strengthen relationships with Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Japan, the European Union, India and other partners. This balanced approach reflects Fiji’s commitment to an independent foreign policy.
For a small island developing state, global governance is about ensuring international institutions remain inclusive and responsive to the needs of all nations, regardless of size or economic influence. Fiji has consistently argued that climate change, sustainable development, disaster resilience and access to development finance deserve the same attention as traditional security concerns.
The current geopolitical environment presents both opportunities and challenges. Growing strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific has increased international interest in the Pacific region. While this has brought greater investment and engagement, Fiji has repeatedly emphasized that Pacific nations are sovereign states capable of making their own decisions.
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has reaffirmed Fiji’s commitment to maintaining positive relations with all partners while safeguarding its sovereignty and pursuing policies that benefit the Fijian people. This approach allows Fiji to work with different countries on shared priorities without becoming entangled in major power rivalry.
China’s role in global governance continues to expand through its participation in multilateral institutions, development financing and international initiatives. From Fiji’s perspective, the measure of any partnership is not geopolitical competition but whether it delivers practical outcomes—better infrastructure, economic opportunities, climate resilience and improved livelihoods.
As the international order evolves, Fiji’s voice remains consistent: support multilateralism, uphold international law, respect sovereignty and promote dialogue over division.
In an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape, Fiji’s principle of “friends to all, enemies to none” remains both a diplomatic philosophy and a practical strategy, allowing the country to engage broadly, protect its independence and advocate for Pacific priorities on the global stage.
*The views and opinions expressed in the articles are solely those of the individual authors and do not reflect the position of the Secretariat of the Belt and Road Journalist Network.