Silk Road Ark, one of China's biggest hospital ships, will visit Fiji in October for a weeklong mission to provide high-quality medical services to the local community, says Chinese Ambassador to Fiji Zhou Jian.

"Healthcare is crucial to people's sense of happiness and well-being, representing an important part of bilateral relations," Zhou said. "China will continue to increase its assistance to Fiji in this area."

The October mission will mark the first overseas trip for the self-designed, home-built, 10,000-ton-class oceangoing hospital ship, following its maiden voyage to South China Sea islands last year.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Fiji — the first Pacific island country to forge ties with China. Zhou said the two countries are natural cooperation partners of the Global South, and that China's support for Fiji and other South Pacific island nations will not be affected by policy changes in other countries.

"Over the years, China has provided (various) assistance to Pacific island countries without attaching any political conditions," he said, adding the support has greatly improved local livelihoods.

Asked about media reports claiming China is filling a "void" in the Pacific after the United States Agency for International Development halted funding in the region, Zhou said China's support for Pacific countries is driven not by geopolitical concerns but by common interests and mutual respect — demonstrating Beijing's responsibility in global governance.

"The international community should respect island nations' sovereign right to independently choose their own development paths and to cooperate with any international partner," he said, noting these countries should not be forced into making a binary choice.

In addition to the upcoming hospital ship mission, Zhou said China will continue working on existing projects such as free cataract surgeries, while dispatching medical specialists in other fields to serve the Fijian people.

"We will also provide more opportunities for Fijian students to pursue medical education in China, so that they can better serve their communities once they complete their studies."

Leung Chun-ying, vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and chairman of GX Foundation — a medical humanitarian aid and charitable organization in Hong Kong — said public health cooperation can demonstrate people-to-people connectivity between China and Fiji.

Earlier this month, Leung led GX Foundation delegations to assess the dengue fever situation in Fiji and discuss the issue with President Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu and other senior officials.

Leung expressed hope that the foundation can form long-term cooperation with Fiji in dengue fever control and other healthcare projects.

Multilateral trade system

With global trade facing challenges from US tariffs, Ambassador Zhou said China and Fiji should jointly safeguard the multilateral trade system, with the World Trade Organization at its core.

China is a major trading partner of Fiji, with bilateral trade reaching $534 million last year, according to the Chinese embassy in Fiji.

As the two countries discuss launching direct flights by the end of this year, Zhou said he expects to see more win-win cooperation. "I believe the next 50 years will usher in a new golden era for China-Fiji relations."

This year also marks the 170th anniversary of the arrival of Chinese people in Fiji. Zhou said he hopes the overseas Chinese community will continue to respect local laws, live in harmony with the Fijian people, and contribute more to the country's development.

"As a bridge of people-to-people ties between China and Fiji, I hope they can play an even greater role in fostering friendly bilateral relations in the future," he said.

kelly@chinadailyapac.com