Fiji–Taiwan relations

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Fiji–Taiwan relations
Map indicating locations of Fiji and Taiwan

Fiji
Taiwan
Diplomatic mission
Taipei Trade Office in Fiji

Fiji–Taiwan relations refer to the bilateral relations between Fiji (officially the Republic of Fiji) and Taiwan (officially the Republic of China, ROC). Although Fiji recognizes the People's Republic of China (PRC) and does not have formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, the two sides maintain unofficial relations through trade missions and cooperation in areas such as agriculture, education, and public health.[1]

History

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Taiwan established a trade mission in Fiji in 1971 called Trade Mission of the Republic of China to the Republic of Fiji. Then in 1975, Fiji recognized the People's Republic of China, after which Taiwan's presence in Fiji continued in the form of a de facto representative office.

In May 2017, Fiji closed its Fiji Trade and Tourism Representative Office in Taipei which was opened on 25 December 1997.[2]

In March 2023, Fiji reinstated the original name of Taiwan’s office in Suva as the Trade Mission of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to the Republic of Fiji, restoring the diplomatic privileges of its personnel under Fiji’s Diplomatic Privileges and Immunities Act (1971).[1]

However, by June 2023, under pressure from China, Fiji reversed this decision and removed "Republic of China (Taiwan)" yet again from the mission’s name, a move criticized by Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.[3]

In 2025 Filipo Tarakinikini, a senior Fijian diplomat, visited Taiwan and met with Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim.[4]

Representative offices

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  • Taiwan’s representation in Fiji is conducted through the Taipei Trade Office in Fiji, located in Suva.
  • Fiji’s representation in Taiwan was conducted through the Fiji Trade and Tourism Representative Office in Taipei until its closure in 2017.[5]

Economic relations

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Taiwan and Fiji cooperate extensively in agriculture, aquaculture, and renewable energy. In 2024–25, Taiwan assisted Fiji in establishing the Centre for Agricultural Technology Transfer (CATT) in Nausori, which includes solar-powered greenhouses and tissue-culture laboratories for tropical fruit production.[6]

Trade between the two countries remains modest but growing, with Taiwan focusing on providing technical expertise and market access for Fijian agricultural products rather than traditional export trade.[7]

Cultural and educational cooperation

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Taiwan offers government scholarships to Fijian students and supports exchange programs in fields such as engineering, agriculture, and journalism. Taiwanese technical missions have trained local farmers and aquaculture specialists in sustainable food production.[8]

Humanitarian and technical aid

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Taiwan has provided humanitarian aid to Fiji in the aftermath of natural disasters and has also supported public health initiatives such as telemedicine and hospital cooperation programs. Partnerships between Taiwanese hospitals (such as Mackay Memorial Hospital) and Fijian institutions (such as Nadi Hospital) have been formed to improve digital health services.[9]

Incidents

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On 8 October 2020, during a National Day reception hosted by the Taipei Trade Office in Fiji at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva, two staff members from the Chinese embassy allegedly entered the event venue without invitation and clashed with Taiwanese personnel. One Taiwanese staff member sustained a head injury and was taken to hospital.[10]

According to Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Chinese diplomats were removed by hotel security but later filed a false police report claiming they had been attacked by the Taiwanese side.[11] The Chinese Foreign Ministry denied the accusations, asserting that Taiwanese personnel had "provoked and assaulted" Chinese diplomats after displaying a "fake flag" and "provocative symbols" at the event.[12]

Fiji's Ministry of Foreign Affairs later mediated between both sides, after which the Chinese embassy withdrew its complaint and the incident was considered closed.[13]

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo expressed concern and wished the injured Taiwanese official a speedy recovery, calling the event "unfortunate but not unprecedented".[14]

Agreements

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In February 2025, Taiwan and the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat signed a new three-year cooperation agreement (2025–2027) to support the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (OPOC).[15]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Liu, Tzu-hsuan (29 March 2023). "Taipei Trade Office in Fiji renamed". Taipei Times. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
  2. ^ "FIJI SHUTS DOWN REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE IN TAIWAN". Public Television Service. 18 May 2017. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
  3. ^ Liu, Tzu-hsuan (23 June 2023). "Fiji restored Taipei office name on China pressure". Taipei Times. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
  4. ^ "Taiwan says senior Fijian UN diplomat visited, despite Fiji's formal ties with China". reuters.com. Reuters. Retrieved 7 November 2025.
  5. ^ "Fiji shuts down its Taipei office". Taipei Times. 18 May 2017. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
  6. ^ Thomson, Jono (17 June 2024). "Taiwan backed agriculture development center opens in Fiji". Taiwan News. Retrieved 20 October 2025.
  7. ^ Chen, Kelvin (13 April 2025). "Taiwan eyes deeper engagement with Fiji". Taiwan News. Retrieved 20 October 2025.
  8. ^ "Taiwan continues support to Fiji's agriculture development". FijiVillage. 6 March 2024. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
  9. ^ "Taiwan–Fiji partnership bears fruit across key sectors". Islands Business. 15 October 2025. Retrieved 20 October 2025.
  10. ^ "China-Taiwan tensions erupt over diplomats' fight in Fiji". BBC News. 20 October 2020. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
  11. ^ Zheng, Sarah (19 October 2020). "Taiwan denounces mainland China for 'brutal and irrational actions' after spat in Fiji ends with worker in hospital". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
  12. ^ Wu, Huizhong (20 October 2020). "Taiwan, China trade accusations after staffers fight in Fiji". Associated Press. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
  13. ^ Yee, Isaac; Westcott, Ben (19 October 2020). "Taiwan official allegedly injured after altercation with Chinese diplomats in Fiji". CNN News. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
  14. ^ "Mike Pompeo says Chinese diplomats brawled at Fiji event". The Standard (Hong Kong). 22 October 2020. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
  15. ^ "Taiwan and Pacific Islands Forum Strengthen Partnership with New Cooperation Agreement to Support Ocean Governance". Taipei Trade Office in Fiji. 13 February 2025. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
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