SODELPA GS Proposes Stronger China–Fiji Party Links

SODELPA General Secretary Viliame Takayawa has outlined a wide-ranging proposal to deepen cooperation between Fiji and China, including direct party-to-party exchanges with the Chinese Communist Party (CPC).

Takayawa said the two parties share “grassroots connections, hierarchical structures, and a conservative, people-centric philosophy” which could serve as the basis for long-term collaboration.

He suggested broader China–Fiji cooperation in areas such as climate resilience, digital infrastructure, education exchanges, and trade diversification. Proposals include Chinese support for seawalls and mangrove reforestation, investment in 5G and e-government platforms, and expanded scholarships for Fijian students in medicine, engineering, and marine science.

On the party level, Takayawa recommended a formal CPC–SODELPA dialogue mechanism, training programs for SODELPA officials in China, and grassroots exchanges between Chinese villages and Fijian communities. He also proposed joint policy research on indigenous land rights, youth engagement, and balancing economic growth with environmental protection.

Takayawa stressed that the relationship must be based on mutual respect and cultural sensitivity, acknowledging the importance of vanua (land), lotu (faith), and vuvale (family) in Fijian politics.

He said this approach could become a model for wider engagement between China and political parties across the Pacific.