Chinese police kicked out of Fiji over PM being 'uncomfortable' with presence in the region

Fiji's Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says his government has removed Chinese officers who were embedded in the Pacific nation's police force, even though it has decided not to tear up a contentious policing agreement with Beijing. Mr Rabuka sat down with the ABC to discuss the relationship between China and Fiji and a host of political issues at a time when the emerging great power's role in the country has come under intense scrutiny. Last week, Home Affairs Minister Pio Tikoduadua revealed that Fiji had decided to maintain a police cooperation pact with China, despite Mr Rabuka's declaration last year that he planned to scrap it. The prime minister told the ABC during a sit-down interview that while the government had decided to keep the policing MoU with China, he had ordered Chinese officers who had been based with Fiji's police force to leave the country. Fiji PM investigating claims of China spies Fiji prime minister Sitiveni Rabuka says despite the geopolitical tug-of-war in the region, "Survival" remains the key issue facing Pacific nations. "If anyone has any evidence about these allegations, this should be reported to the Fiji Police Force to investigate," he said. "In response to these allegations, both Mr Zhao and I are actively engaging with relevant authorities to ascertain the basis of these claims. We are in the process of gathering comprehensive information to provide a thorough and formal response."Furthermore, Mr Zhao has previously reached out to the Fiji Police to address concerns regarding the assertions made by the journalist in question.