Fiji: China's growing institutionalised media presence

In March 2024, the Chinese Embassy in Fiji published two videos attacking a report by the Australian programme "60 Minutes," the flagship investigative programme of Australia's television network Nine Network, about alleged links between Chinese police and organised crime in Fiji. In one of the videos, an embassy employee claimed that the report was a "story made up of false accusations, just like drugs in another form" and denounced alleged "typical sinophobia." Why, when it comes to China, does everything become evil?" she asked. She concluded by asserting that "China has no interest in geopolitical competition." This campaign to discredit journalistic work was widely amplified by Chinese state media. For around 15 years, China has been strengthening its media presence in the Pacific island states and multiplying partnerships with local media. The official Chinese news agency Xinhua has maintained an office in Fiji since 2011 and opened its newest in Nauru in 2024. Chinese state broadcasters, notably CCTV and CGTN, have also expanded their presence and partnerships in the region and are present in ten Pacific countries and territories. This strategy notably relies on a growing number of cooperation agreements, content exchanges and training programmes. It involves Chinese state media and local media, but also Pacific governments directly. In May 2025, eleven Pacific island states agreed with China to "strengthen exchanges and cooperation" in the media sector.

In Fiji, this cooperation took concrete form a few months later through an informal agreement between the Chinese ambassador and Fiji's Minister for Information on digital and multimedia development. According to Fijian media, China committed to providing personnel exchanges, specialised training in media and social media management, and technical assistance, including providing equipment. An experienced Fijian journalist who spoke to RSF on condition of anonymity described a strategy that involves "spending a fair amount of time countering" what he considers the influence of Western media. According to him, Chinese authorities believe that Western media "deliberately portray them in a negative light and try to turn Pacific media against them" and therefore take "countermeasures by investing heavily in their own media strategy." He explained the main difference between China and the Pacific's traditional partners, such as Australia: "China's media engagement is often accompanied by an expectation that recipients portray China in a positive light and avoid criticism." He considers China's engagement with the media to be "more explicitly state-led and strategically coordinated to advance its national interests."

Pressure and censorship attempts

Chinese influence over Pacific media is also accompanied by attempts to restrict critical content or wording considered contrary to Chinese interests. In 2022, RSF warned about the media blackout imposed during Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's tour of eight Pacific states, as local journalists were prevented from asking him questions. During his visit to Fiji, local journalists were prohibited from asking questions, while journalist Lice Movono and her cameraman, who wanted to meet the Chinese minister, had their accreditations revoked without explanation. The accreditations were managed by the Chinese government even though the event was taking place on Fijian soil. Kalafi Moala, a Tongan journalist and president of the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA), the Pacific's main regional media organisation, says he has received at least three objections from the Chinese Embassy over the use of the term "nation" to refer to Taiwan. Following these interventions, his media outlet continues to cover Taiwanese affairs, but now refers to Taiwan as a regional "entity." Although Moala explained to RSF that he does not consider these objections as interference, the way his media outlet changed its terminology following the complaints illustrates how Beijing's official positions can gradually influence the editorial choices of local media.

This article is an extract from RSF's China edition of the Propaganda Monitor report.