Fiji’s prime minister to visit China from Aug 12 to 21

BEIJING (Reuters) – Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka is set to visit China from Monday until Aug. 21, the Chinese foreign ministry said on Friday, welcoming the chance for the two nations to build strategic ties.

The news follows March reports that Fiji agreed to maintain a policing co-operation deal with China that fanned concern in Australia, against the backdrop of a long tussle for influence between China and the United States in the Asia-Pacific.

The Fiji prime minister’s visit offers an opportunity to elevate a comprehensive strategic partnership, allowing both countries to “work together to build a closer community”, the Chinese ministry said in a statement.

It will follow Friday’s annual meeting of foreign ministers of the Pacific Islands Forum in Fiji, where regional peace and security, and strategy targets for 2050, figure on the agenda, according to the forum’s website.

(Reporting by Liz Lee and Beijing newsroom; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)