Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka on Tuesday abruptly cancelled a coming visit to China, issuing a video address to explain that he had suffered a head injury and must remain at home. Rabuka said that he was looking at his phone when he tripped leading to an injury to his head, reported the Guardian. The prime minister was due to attend the opening of the World University Games in Chengdu, where he would have met China's President Xi Jinping. Rabuka showed his blood-stained shirt and a bandage in his video message post, where he announced his decision to call off the trip.
Fiji's Prime Minister in a video message said, “I’ve just come back from the hospital where I had a dressing put on my head for a small accident I had this morning.” While saying this, he pointed to small blood splatters on his business shirt. He added, “I have had to inform China I will not be able to undertake the trip that was coming up tomorrow night,” and said that he hopes to accept future invitations.
The announcement of his visit came when China was ramping up its push for security and trade ties with the Pacific Islands to compete with the US and its allies, reported the Guardian.
Rabuka won a tense election in December over Frank Bainimarama, who had held power in Fiji for 16 years. Rabuka has moved since then to distance himself from some of Bainimarama’s policies, including moves to forge closer ties with China. He has previously said he was reviewing a contentious police cooperation agreement with China, signed by the former government in 2011, that has allowed Chinese police officers to be stationed in Fiji, the Guardian reported.
Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands’ (Fiji's neighbouring country), Manasseh Sogavare, signed a policing deal this month which was regarding a visit to China. This deal was to build on a security pact struck in 2022.