US and China to collaborate on Fiji port development project

Foreign Ministers of India, US, Australia, and Japan Announce Joint Port Development in Fiji

In a meeting held earlier this week in New Delhi, foreign ministers from India, the United States, Australia, and Japan announced plans to jointly develop port infrastructure in Fiji. The development is part of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue alliance (Quad), which has been working as a counter force to China’s economic and political influence in the Asia Pacific region.

The Quad countries have agreed to collaborate on the pilot project for port infrastructure in Fiji, with Suva and Lautoka set to be the first ports developed. The foreign ministers emphasized the group’s ability to deliver high-quality infrastructure that meets Pacific priorities.

Fiji’s Foreign Minister stated that Suva and Lautoka would be the primary focus of the development, with potential expansion to other locations on the island in the future. The project is expected to involve significant investment, with estimates ranging from $181m to $1.82bn for port upgrades and relocation.

The Quad countries have also discussed cooperation on maritime security, infrastructure, technology, health, and supply chains, as well as initiatives such as the Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA). This partnership aims to help Pacific countries monitor illegal fishing, smuggling, and other maritime activity using satellite data.

The development in Fiji marks the first joint initiative by the Quad on port infrastructure. The foreign ministers’ announcement comes amid questions about the relevance of the Quad in today’s world order, as well as concerns over US President Donald Trump’s recent interactions with China.

Source: Al Jazeera