Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka yesterday said that a police exchange agreement with China was under review as his government considers whether to cancel the deal outright.
China and Fiji signed deal in 2011 enabling police officers from the Pacific nation to undergo training in China.
It also saw Chinese officers deployed to Fiji.
Photo: AFP
However, since being elected six months ago, Rabuka’s coalition government has shown more skepticism about close ties with Beijing.
In January, he told local media that he saw “no need” for the police agreement with China to continue, but no firm decision was taken.
During a state visit to New Zealand yesterday, he indicated that the agreement was on ice as deliberations continued.
“When we came in [to office], the thing I said was if our values and our systems differ, what cooperation can we get from them [China]?” he told reporters in Wellington. “We need to look at that again before we decide on whether we go backward or continue the way we have had in the past — cooperating with those that have similar democratic values and systems of legislation, law enforcement and so on.”
Rabuka said that New Zealand and Fiji were poised to sign a defense agreement next week aimed at increasing cooperation between their military forces.
“The agreement will allow defense officials to undertake engagement in different areas including capacity building and upskilling, exposure to new technologies and technical support, among others,” he said.
He said there has been a lot of geopolitical focus on the region, but that Pacific countries only worry about militarization “when diplomacy and common neighborly discussions fail.”
Fiji expanded its policing agreement with China in 2013 to include some military cooperation, but Rabuka did not directly address that arrangement.
China has previously said the security agreements have benefited Fiji and it hopes to continue the collaboration.
Additional reporting by AP
Taiwan last night blanked world No. 1 Japan 4-0 to win the World Baseball Softball Confederation’s (WBSC) Premier12 for the first time. Taiwanese ace Lin Yu-min (林昱珉) held defending champions Japan to just one hit and no runs in the first four innings, before catcher Lin Chia-cheng (林家正) opened the fifth inning with a solo home run. That was soon followed by a three-run homer from Taiwanese captain Chen Chieh-hsien (陳傑憲) to put Taiwan ahead in the prestigious tournament of the world’s top 12 baseball teams. In addition to a superb performance from 21-year-old Arizona Diamondbacks prospect Lin, three more Taiwanese pitchers
SUPPORT: Arms sales to NATO Plus countries such as Japan, South Korea and Israel only have to be approved by the US Congress if they exceed US$25m The US should amend a law to add Taiwan to the list of “NATO Plus” allies and streamline future arms sales, a US commission said on Tuesday in its annual report to the US Congress. The recommendation was made in the annual report by the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission (USCC), which contained chapters on US-China economic and trade ties, security relations, and Taiwan and Hong Kong. In the chapter on Taiwan, the commission urged the US Congress to “amend the Arms Export Control Act of 1976 to include Taiwan on the list of ‘NATO Plus’ recipients,” referring to
Taiwan yesterday advanced to the gold medal match of the World Baseball Softball Confederation’s (WBSC) Premier12 for the first time in history, despite last night losing 9-6 to Japan. Taiwan advanced after the US defeated Venezuela in the first game on the last day of the Super Round. However, the US had no chance of advancing to the championship game unless it defeated Venezuela by at least nine points. The US won 6-5. As a result, the two teams — who both had one win and two losses in the Super Round — are to face off again in the
Minister of Labor Ho Pei-shan (何佩珊) said she would tender her resignation following criticism of her handling of alleged bullying by Ministry of Labor Workforce Development Agency branch director Hsieh Yi-jung (謝宜容) resulting in the death of an employee. The ministry yesterday gave Hsieh two demerits and said she is subject to review by the Disciplinary Court. The severest possible punishment would be her removal from office and being barred from government jobs indefinitely. Workforce Development Agency Director-General Tsai Meng-liang (蔡孟良) also received a major demerit and was transferred to another position. Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) issued a formal apology
RSS