China assures military exercise poses no threat to Pacific

China gave Fiji advance notice of a military training exercise in the Pacific, assuring the Government that the activity posed no security threat to the region and was not directed at any Pacific country.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade said the Government of the People's Republic of China informed Fiji in advance of the scheduled military activity, which took place on July 6.

The notification said the exercise formed part of a scheduled military training programme and assured Fiji that it "was not directed at any country in the Pacific and posed no security threat to the region".

The ministry said Fiji remained firmly committed to its vision of the Pacific as an Ocean of Peace, where dialogue, transparency, mutual respect and adherence to international law underpin regional security and prosperity.

It also reaffirmed Fiji's support for the Rarotonga Treaty and said the country respected development cooperation in the Pacific region.

The ministry said it would continue to engage constructively with all partners in advancing Fiji's foreign policy priorities and supporting a peaceful, stable and secure Blue Pacific region.