PM Rabuka Urged to Stop Pretending He Isn’t Influenced by Chinese Money

Former Prime Minister and Labour Party leader Mahendra Chaudhry has told Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka to be honest about his dealings with China, accusing him of sending mixed messages to different audiences.

In a recent interview with The Australian newspaper, Rabuka expressed concern over China’s growing influence in the Pacific and pledged to strengthen Fiji’s ties with Australia said Chaudhry.

"However, this contrasts sharply with his repeated praise for China and his efforts to deepen cooperation with Beijing."

"During a China-sponsored state visit in August last year, Rabuka lauded China’s “great progress,” stating that Fiji had much to learn from the country. In his Chinese New Year message, he called for direct airline links with China and actively sought multi-million-dollar tourism investments from Chinese businesses."

Chaudhry highlighted that Rabuka’s claims of being concerned about China’s “encroachment” are undermined by his acceptance of nearly $300 million in Chinese aid for infrastructure projects in his home province in the North. According to Chaudhry, Rabuka’s domestic actions reflect a warm embrace of Chinese influence, contradicting his public statements abroad.

The Labour leader also criticized Rabuka’s inconsistent stance on climate change. While Fiji’s official policy opposes the expansion of fossil fuel production, Rabuka has shown a conciliatory attitude towards Australia’s continued investment in the sector—an approach that Pacific nations like Tuvalu* and *Vanuatu have strongly condemned.

Chaudhry urged Rabuka to stop misleading the Fijian people with contradictory statements and be transparent about foreign influences shaping Fiji’s domestic and foreign policies.