18 Jun 2009

Fiji says its China ties challenged by Australia and New Zealand

7:05 pm on 18 June 2009

The leader of Fiji's military-led Government, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, claims Australia and New Zealand have asked China to reconsider its aid and funding support for Fiji.

The website Fiji Village reports Commodore Bainimarama as saying he's aware of a number of approaches made by Australia and New Zealand over the past few months to ensure the Fiji economy is crippled.

But Commodore Bainimarama says his regime will not be deterred from its plans for electoral reform.

Fiji Village reports the Australian Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Islands Affairs, Duncan Kerr, as saying China has been approached but saying Beijing's aid to the Pacific is welcomed.