Fiji–Taiwan relations
Fiji–Taiwan relations refer to the bilateral relations between Fiji and Taiwan. Although Fiji recognizes the People's Republic of China 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.
History
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.
In March 2023, Fiji reinstated the original name of Taiwan’s office in Suva as the Trade Mission of the Republic of China to the Republic of Fiji, restoring the diplomatic privileges of its personnel under Fiji’s Diplomatic Privileges and Immunities Act.
However, by June 2023, under pressure from China, Fiji reversed this decision and removed "Republic of China " yet again from the mission’s name, a move criticized by Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In 2025 Filipo Tarakinikini, a senior Fijian diplomat, visited Taiwan and met with Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim.
Representative offices
- 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.
Economic relations
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 in Nausori, which includes solar-powered greenhouses and tissue-culture laboratories for tropical fruit production.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.
Cultural and educational cooperation
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.Humanitarian and technical aid
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 and Fijian institutions have been formed to improve digital health services.Incidents
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.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. 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.
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.
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".