The Chinese Embassy in Fiji has condemned the Australian 60 Minutes current affairs program for what it claims as erroneous reporting about China in its latest investigative documentary about transnational organised crimes around drugs in Fiji.
The embassy says the story is based on lies, speculations, and presumptions of guilt, full of ideological bias and distortion of facts, aimed at smearing Fiji-China relations.
In a statement, the Embassy said it was a lie when the news report highlighted that China is condoning transnational organised crimes around drugs in Fiji.
“This allegation has no basis in fact and amounts to malicious speculation – It is typical disinformation, which China firmly opposes.”
“The overwhelming military might of Western powers forced open China’s door to opium, making China a country that suffered the most from the affliction of drugs.”
“If there is one country that abhors drugs the most that is China. That is why the Chinese government has always implemented strict anti-drugs policies and maintained a zero-tolerance stance for drugs.”
The Embassy said the second lie in the 60-minute news report is that China is using alleged gangsters as political proxies to advance its interests.
“This allegation is filled with distortion of facts which aims to smear the Chinese political system and disrupt normal exchanges and cooperation between Fiji and China.”
The embassy said the truth is that CPC-led United Fronts endeavours to bring together various political parties and people from all walks of life, ethnic groups, and organisations.
“Simply put, it aims to promote cooperation between the CPC and people who are not members of it. When it comes to exchanges with foreign countries, the CPC and the Chinese government always believe that different civilisations should respect and learn from each other with an open mind and countries should strive for harmonious coexistence, win-win cooperation, and peaceful development.”
The Embassy said the third lie that was reported was China- Fiji police cooperation is a way to conduct mass kidnapping and exert power in the region – This allegation disregards facts for a hidden agenda.
It said it is a demonization and malicious distortion of normal cooperation between China and Fiji.
“The police cooperation between Fiji – China is professional, open, and transparent. As early as 2011, the two sides already signed the MOU, which has significantly promoted the exchanges and cooperation of law enforcement and police cooperation between the two countries.”
“Chinese and Fijian Police have worked together for joint investigations on specific transnational crimes, Apart from Fiji, China has also carried out similar police cooperation with many countries in Asia and Europe. The need to fight cross-border crimes, repatriate fugitives and recover illegal proceeds is widely recognised by the international community.”
The statement said the friendship between Fiji and China is everlasting and the cooperation between both countries is beneficial to both.
