Taiwan Honouring Long-Standing Relationship with Fiji Despite Chinese Pressure

Taiwan has always faced challenges in Fiji as the People’s Republic of China exerts pressure on the Fijian government to limit diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Despite this, Ambassador to Fiji, Joseph Chow, remains optimistic. in the long-term friendship that has been fostered between the two countries.

In an exclusive interview with Duavata News, Chow spoke about Taiwan’s deepening engagement with Fiji and its efforts to support the country’s development. While geopolitical pressures from China are undeniable, Chow remains optimistic, stating that Taiwan’s relationship with Fiji goes beyond government-level diplomacy.

“We’re not just talking about diplomatic exchanges between two governments; we’re talking about a long-standing relationship with the Fijian people,” Chow said. “Our focus has always been on the well-being of the people of Fiji and sustainable development.”

Taiwan’s engagement with Fiji has shifted over the years. What started as a more representative role has evolved into a comprehensive partnership aimed at contributing to Fiji’s socio-economic growth. Taiwan’s efforts are grounded in soft power diplomacy, emphasising capacity building, education, agriculture, and community outreach, rather than transactional or coercive relationships.

Agriculture, a key area of Taiwan’s development cooperation in Fiji, has seen substantial improvements, largely thanks to the work of Taiwan’s Technical Mission (TTM) in Fiji. Taiwan has long provided expertise in tropical and subtropical agriculture, and the TTM’s initiatives have directly impacted local farming practices, contributing to food security and improved livelihoods.

One of the flagship projects, the Fruit Tree Improvement and Propagation Project, has focused on enhancing the quality and yield of tropical fruits like guava, papaya, mango, and citrus. Through advanced techniques such as grafting and disease management, the project has successfully improved the quality of local fruit while ensuring greater disease resistance. Farmers have benefitted not only from better yields but also from practical knowledge of modern farming methods that are more sustainable and efficient.

In addition to fruit tree improvement, the TTM’s Vegetable Production and Demonstration Project has aimed at boosting vegetable production. This project introduces Taiwanese farming techniques, including the use of greenhouses, drip irrigation, and environmentally friendly pest control methods. These practices have helped local farmers adapt to the challenges of climate change while improving their production capacity. Chow highlighted that these initiatives are also supported by training programmes and workshops that educate farmers on soil management, seedling propagation, and climate-resilient farming techniques.

Taiwan’s commitment to Fiji goes beyond agriculture. The country also provides scholarships to Fijian students, enabling them to pursue higher education in Taiwan, particularly in fields like technology, agriculture, and medicine. “Our scholarship programmes are designed to equip young Fijians with the knowledge and skills to contribute to Fiji’s future development,” Chow explained.

Furthermore, Taiwan’s outreach extends to schools and community organisations. By supporting school gardens and promoting healthy eating, Taiwan fosters youth engagement in agriculture while promoting better nutritional habits among Fijian students. These projects are part of Taiwan’s broader goal to strengthen community resilience and empower local citizens with the tools they need to thrive.

Taiwan’s involvement in Fiji covers many areas, but its response to China’s growing influence in the region is also very important. Despite the pressure from China, Taiwan remains committed to building a positive relationship with Fiji, based on respect and shared democratic values. Taiwan has always stressed that its work with Fiji is about collaboration, not competition, and it offers an alternative to the more forceful approaches sometimes used by larger countries.

“We believe that Fiji, like other Pacific nations, benefits from a diversified network of partners,” Chow said. “We are not here to pressure Fiji or to dictate their foreign policy. We are here to help, to collaborate, and to work together in areas where we have expertise.”

Chow added that Taiwan’s approach is to prioritise the interests of the people of Fiji over geopolitical rivalry. “We respect Fiji’s sovereignty and its right to make its own decisions. Our role is to support Fiji’s development, not to impose our own agenda,” he stated.

Taiwan’s presence in Fiji is an important part of its strategy in the Pacific. Despite growing pressure from China, Taiwan continues to focus on supporting sustainable development, community engagement, and education in Fiji. Through its ongoing work in Fiji, Taiwan aims to help build a stronger, more prosperous future for the Pacific, creating lasting partnerships that go beyond just diplomacy.