Xi’s First Pacific Islands Tour Expands China Clout to the South
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President Xi Jinping arrived in Fiji today to expand relations beyond trade that has quadrupled since then-army chief Frank Bainimarama staged a coup almost eight years ago.
The Fiji trip -- the first state visit by a Chinese leader -- reflects a push by China to increase its economic and strategic clout in the South Pacific. It’s Xi’s 11th foreign sojourn since he became president in March 2013, doling out billions of dollars to countries from Tanzania to Costa Rica and Sri Lanka.