China has today fiercely denied claims about establishing a military base in the Pacific, following Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s warning about Chinese pressure to expand its influence in the region. A spokesperson for the Chinese embassy called these claims “fake stories” and emphasized that China’s presence in the Pacific focuses on building roads and bridges to improve people’s lives, not on military expansion.
Prime Minister Rabuka expressed concern over China’s ambitions, especially after China tested an intercontinental ballistic missile in September that flew over Fiji at a distance of 11,000 kilometers. He warned that if China can target empty areas, it can also occupy territory.
Concerns about China’s military presence in the Pacific have existed for years, particularly after Beijing’s attempts to revive naval bases in Papua New Guinea and Fiji, as well as signing a security agreement with the Solomon Islands. The US has announced it will respond if China establishes a permanent military presence in the region.
The Chinese embassy stressed that China respects Fiji’s sovereignty and is not interested in geopolitical competition or expanding its sphere of influence. However, China has already established police presence in the Solomon Islands, Kiribati, and Vanuatu, fueling further suspicions about its intentions.
This situation sheds new light on the geopolitical struggle for the Pacific, where great powers’ interests clash, and local states find themselves caught between promises of development and fears of military domination. Is China really just a builder of bridges, or is it preparing for something much bigger? Drop your thoughts in the comments — maybe you’ll be the one to uncover what’s really going on behind the scenes!
