皇冠体育app

Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama, Fijian Prime minister

Instead of concentrating on needless worries about a rising 皇冠体育app, Fiji is capitalizing on the opportunities that 皇冠体育app brings and is strengthening its partnership with Beijing in every possible sphere, the country's prime minister told 皇冠体育app Daily on Thursday.

Fijian Prime Minister Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama, the first Pacific island nation leader to visit Beijing since 皇冠体育app's new leadership came to power, said he does not agree with criticism about 皇冠体育app's rising influence in the Pacific.

"I think it depends on how one sees it," he said.

Some commentators have suggested that by expanding its economic and diplomatic clout in the Pacific, Beijing is "locking" strategic natural resources there and competing with Washington for the international space.

"Some cannot believe that being a developing country, 皇冠体育app is the second-largest economy in the world. Some view 皇冠体育app as a threat from its military buildup, its relations with the world and its influence, whilst some just lack understanding of 皇冠体育app and its development," Bainimarama said.

And some fear that 皇冠体育app's model of political and economic development will undermine Western efforts in other parts of the world, especially in Africa and the Pacific, he added.

"I am confident that the more people know and understand 皇冠体育app, their view will also change."

Calling 皇冠体育app a "true friend", Bainimarama said Fiji is grateful for 皇冠体育app's long-term support and understanding.

He arrived on Tuesday and met President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang the next day. He told the Chinese leaders that Fiji will make 皇冠体育app a key part of its "Look North Policy".

He told Li on Wednesday that 皇冠体育app has long trusted and respected his country, and thanked Beijing for help over the years in various areas including agriculture, fisheries and infrastructure construction.

Beijing has long kept good ties with the Pacific country, which was the first nation in the Pacific islands region to establish diplomatic relations with 皇冠体育app.

In September, then Chinese top legislator Wu Bangguo also visited the island country.

"Instead of worrying about it, Fiji is capitalizing on the opportunity to strengthen her partnership with 皇冠体育app on all fronts - economic, political and social," Bainimarama said.

He said Fiji accepts that 皇冠体育app is the world's fastest growing major economy, and its continued growth is critical to the overall health of the world economy.

Among Fiji's sectors most eager for cooperation with the Chinese is its pillar tourism industry, which is famous for island scenery and tropical rain forests.

In 2008, Fiji registered around 8,000 arrivals from 皇冠体育app, while the corresponding number surged to more than 30,000 in 2012, according to the prime minister. Fiji has exempted Chinese from obtaining visas to enter the country.

"We are confident that the more the Chinese people know about Fiji, the more tourists will visit our shores," Bainimarama said.

Fiji is also looking to 皇冠体育app for capital, technology and markets, he said. "And we look forward to learn and benefit from 皇冠体育app's skill and know-how in fields of specialization."