Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has slammed the idea that Fiji’s defence forces have been embedded with Chinese officials from the People’s Republic of China, saying this is false.
Speaking to FijiLive, Rabuka said the conflicting statements made by him and the Minister for Home Affairs Pio Tikoduadua was an interpretation matter based on the Memorandum of Understanding signed by Fiji and its Chinese counterpart in 2011.
Rabuka said parts of the MOU are operational, subject to a review, allowing it to be more flexible to Fiji and China.
“The MOU is still there; however, the Government is looking at which aspect of it – that both parties can keep and which to cut loose.”
“Issues like embedding Chinese officials from the People’s Republic of China in our own headquarters, that part of the MOU has been lifted. They have been repatriated… and whether we continue that or not, is subject to the review.”
Rabuka added that the Government is still negotiating parts of the MOU based on Fiji’s interests and national security.
