FIJI TIMES : Wednesday, March 26, 2008
YOUTH activist Peter Waqavonovono has expressed concern at the close links that the interim Government is forging with the Peoples Republic of China.
He said it was a known fact that China was a donor to Pacific Island countries and had given a considerable amount of aid to Fiji.
"I feel that China has won Fiji's interim Government's silence on important issues that need to be addressed, like human rights and the treatment of activists," said Mr Waqavonovono.
He said the actions taken by China in suppressing separatist movements and activists in Tibet brought attention back to the way China handled human rights.
Mr Waqavonovono said since Fiji was a development partner and close friend of China, it should use its position as a leader in the region to play a proactive role in the way China treated its citizens.
He said the interim Governments statement that it supported Chinas treatment of activists and protestors showed that Fijis silence had been bought.
Mr Waqavonovono said he would be organising protests next month to call for Chinas changes to its public policies, human rights and a referendum on the independence of Tibet.
Australia’s foreign minister Stephen Smith has expressed concern about China’s $F170 million loan to Fiji for the development of new roads.