This is what foreign policy failure looks like after New Zealand’s despicable treatment of Fiji under Helen Clark and John Key. Successive foreign ministers, but especially Murray McCully have led to this:

Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Defence Attaché Senior Colonel Yu Ke, presenting Masters in Military Science degree to Lt Col Talemaibau. Picture: RFMF/Sgt Lal

Two senior officers of Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) recently received their Masters in Military Science degrees from the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Defence Attaché to Fiji, Senior Colonel Yu Ke.

Acting Land Force Commander (A/CLF), Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col) Jofiliti Talemaibau and the Senior Military Liaison Officer (SMLO) at Ministry of Defence, Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col) Isimeli Vakadranu had completed a one-year Strategic Studies at the International Defence University of China from 2018 to 2019 passing the examination towards their Master’s degree with excellent results.

According to Senior Colonel Ke, the International Defence University of China is the highest military education institution in China.

Speaking on behalf of the Commander RFMF, the Director Human Resources Colonel Litea Seruiratu extended her deepest appreciation to the People’s Republic of China and the PLA for the opportunity extended to the RFMF for the development of the senior Officers cadre.

She also congratulated Lt Col Talemaibau and Lt Col Vakadanu for their achievements.

Also, to witness the auspicious occasion were senior officers of the RFMF and the Ministry of Defence staff.

Fiji Times
Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Defence Attaché Senior Colonel Yu Ke, presenting Masters in Military Science degree to Lt Col Vakadranu. Picture: RFMF/Sgt Lal

I wonder if anyone cares that our policies towards Fiji have driven them into the welcoming arms of China.

There was a time when Fijian officers were trained in New Zealand.

Now we get cringe-worthy articles in the Fiji Times that talk of “auspicious occasions”. You may be sure the CCP functionaries in Suva had a direct hand in writing that article.

It all could have been different. Instead, both Australia and New Zealand, with their high-handed policies towards the Bainimarama government have gifted China an unsinkable aircraft carrier in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

Sadly, the country of my birth is now lost to China.

Please share this article.

As much at home writing editorials as being the subject of them, Cam has won awards, including the Canon Media Award for his work on the Len Brown/Bevan Chuang story. When he’s not creating the news,...