No Chinese Military Base on Fiji Land
Fears of a Chinese military base at the Kiribati Government land near Savusavu on one of Fiji’s northern provinces have been laid to rest by the office of President Tenati Maamau.
“The [Kiribati] Government completely rules out the building of a military – land or sea base – on this land,” the President’s office said in response to email questions sent by Islands Business magazine.
“The focus of development in Natoavatu is for the agriculture sector only.”
The 5,460 acres of mainly hilly and jungle clad land on the west coastline of Savusavu harbor, on Fiji’s northern island of Vanua Levu was bought by the previous Kiribati government in 2014 for a report AUD$9.3 million (US$7.3 million) from the Anglican Church.
No Chinese base for Fiji land No Chinese base for Fiji land Feb 23, 2021
Fears of a Chinese military base at the Kiribati Government land near Savusavu on one of Fiji’s northern provinces have been laid to rest by the office of President Tenati Maamau.
“The [Kiribati] Government completely rules out the building of a military – land or sea base – on this land,” the President’s office said in response to email questions sent by
Islands Business magazine.
“The focus of development in Natoavatu is for the agriculture sector only.”
The 5,460 acres of mainly hilly and jungle clad land on the west coastline of Savusavu harbor, on Fiji’s northern island of Vanua Levu was bought by the previous Kiribati government in 2014 for a report AUD$9.3 million from the Anglican Church.
Luke Rawalai
Picture: WIKIPEDIA
The Kiribati Government has rubbished media reports that it intended to offer its 5460-acre property at Natoavatu, Wailevu, Cakaudrove, to China.
In a statement, President Taneti Maamau said during a recent media conference, he was questioned whether his government planned to sell the parcel of land.
He said his response was misrepresented to imply the government had offered its land in Fiji to another partner.
Mr Maamau said Kiribati, through its high commission in Fiji, had kept the Fijian Government updated on its activities and plans for the land.
He said there were ongoing consultations between Kiribati’s Ministry of Environment and China on possible projects, noting that a strategic plan for the land in Fiji had been developed.