Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says the government's Civil Service Functional Review could result in the right-sizing of Fiji's public service as authorities seek to improve efficiency and modernise government institutions. The review is examining whether ministries, departments and agencies remain fit for purpose and whether public resources are being used effectively. Rabuka stressed that the exercise is not simply about reducing staff numbers but about ensuring the civil service is structured to meet Fiji's long-term development needs. Officials are assessing overlapping responsibilities, institutional performance and service delivery to build a more responsive and accountable public administration. The review comes as governments across the Pacific face mounting fiscal pressures, rising public expenditure and increasing demands for better public services. Any recommendations involving workforce reductions or restructuring are expected to generate significant debate, given the civil service's role as one of Fiji's largest employers.

Government defends budget as Opposition warns of a growing fiscal crisis

The 2026/27 national budget has become the focus of an increasingly sharp political debate . Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Professor Biman Prasad and Assistant Finance Minister Esrom Immanuel have defended the budget as a long-term investment in Fiji's economic future, while Minister for Housing and Local Government Maciu Nalumisa described it as a plan focused on sustainable growth rather than short-term political gains. In contrast, Opposition finance spokesperson Jone Usamate criticised the budget, arguing that it reflects a worsening fiscal position rather than genuine economic recovery. He warned that increasing public debt and government spending could place additional pressure on future generations and questioned whether projected revenues are realistic. Responding to concerns about the economy, Immanuel rejected speculation over the national currency, stating unequivocally that the Fijian dollar will not be devalued. He said the government remains committed to maintaining macroeconomic stability and protecting investor confidence while pursuing long-term fiscal reforms.

Opposition calls for stronger military role in Fiji's fight against drugs

Opposition Leader Inia Seruiratu has urged the government to expand the role of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) in combating the country's growing drug problem , arguing that narcotics trafficking has evolved into a national security threat rather than simply a policing issue. The proposal comes amid increasing concern over drug seizures, organised criminal networks and the social impact of illicit narcotics across Fiji. Seruiratu argued that the military possesses intelligence, surveillance and logistical capabilities that could strengthen national efforts against transnational trafficking networks operating throughout the Pacific. The debate reflects wider concerns about organised crime in the region, where Pacific island nations have become increasingly vulnerable to international drug trafficking routes linking Asia, Oceania and the Americas. Any expansion of the military's domestic role, however, is likely to generate constitutional and governance debates over the balance between civilian policing and military involvement.

Fiji strengthens strategic partnerships with New Zealand and Australia

Fiji has reinforced two of its most important regional relationships through separate agreements with New Zealand and Australia. Suva and Wellington renewed their five-year Statement of Partnership, reaffirming cooperation on economic development, climate resilience, education, security, labour mobility and Pacific regional priorities. At the same time, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka confirmed that several treaties signed with Australia will return to Parliament for ratification before taking effect. The agreements cover areas including defence cooperation, maritime security and broader bilateral collaboration. The developments underscore Fiji's continuing strategy of deepening engagement with key democratic partners while positioning itself as an influential actor within the Pacific. The renewed partnerships also come as regional competition for influence intensifies, with Australia and New Zealand seeking closer cooperation with Pacific island countries.

Parliament establishes Israel Allies Caucus amid expanding diplomatic engagement

Fiji has established an Israel Allies Caucus in Parliament , joining a growing international network of legislators promoting stronger political and diplomatic ties with Israel. The caucus aims to strengthen parliamentary dialogue, encourage cooperation in areas such as trade, agriculture, innovation and security, and deepen engagement between the two countries. Its creation reflects Fiji's broader foreign policy approach of expanding international partnerships beyond the Pacific region. The move is expected to attract international attention, given the sensitivity of Middle East diplomacy. Supporters describe the caucus as a platform for parliamentary cooperation, while its establishment also signals Fiji's willingness to broaden its diplomatic relationships as it seeks new economic and strategic opportunities.

"Made in China" was the undisputed mantra of the country’s rise. Today, however, a profound structural migration is underway. Following a landmark directive from China’s State Council, Beijing has formally mapped out an audacious future: a services economy projected to surpass ¥100 trillion (approximately $14 trillion) by 2030. This signals a decisive move away from a hardware-driven growth model toward a "China Service" era defined by intelligence, technology, and global standards.

The transition is already visible in the data. In the first quarter of 2026, services accounted for 61.7% of China’s GDP growth, signalling that the shift from a manufacturing-heavy economy to a high-value service hub is no longer a future projection - it is a current reality.

Factory brains

The first pillar of this strategy is the extension of "Producer Services" toward specialisation and the high end of the value chain. China recognises that the future of manufacturing lies not in assembly, but in the "industrial brain" behind it.

The science and technology hubs of Beijing, Shanghai, and the Greater Bay Area are serving as high-velocity engines for this shift, catalysing breakthroughs in robotics, drones, and general-purpose Large Language Models (LLMs). By integrating these frontier technologies into the core of producer services, China is moving beyond traditional consulting toward an "automated expertise" model that optimises industrial design, smart logistics, and predictive maintenance across the global supply chain.

For example, in the realm of tech-enabled services, the "Qi Yuan" model has transformed AI from a linguistic tool into a digitalised attending physician at the ICU bedside. Developed by Shenzhen-based medical giant Mindray and tech titan Tencent, Qi Yuan is the world’s first LLM clinically implemented for critical care. This shift toward high-end, specialised services is the engine driving the Chinese industry toward the apex of the global value chain.

  Quality of modern life

The second pillar is the transformation of "Life Services" to emphasise quality, variety, and convenience. As China's 500-million-strong middle class begins to prioritise "quality of life" over the mere accumulation of goods, the government is opening doors to satisfy increasingly diverse consumer demands.

In Shanghai’s Qingpu District, the launch of DeltaHealth Hospital Shanghai - owned by the British conglomerate Swire Pacific - serves as a vital bellwether. As the first general hospital in the city permitted to convert into a wholly foreign-owned entity, it represents an "airlift" of international management logic and specialised expertise into the heart of the Chinese market.

By attracting high-level international medical institutions, China is pursuing a dual-track strategy: meeting the sophisticated demands of high-income groups while simultaneously reducing pressure on public hospitals, which are often overcapacity due to China's massive population. Furthermore, Beijing is encouraging this competition to boost the overall quality of domestic healthcare services.

Meanwhile, a growing ageing population is seeking a better quality of life post-retirement. On the island of Hainan, China’s southernmost province and largest tropical territory, the "Silver Economy" is emerging as a major opportunity. In the Hainan Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone, the traditional silos between tourism, healthcare, and elderly care have vanished, replaced by a closed-loop ecosystem. This deep integration of "service + consumption" allows patients to access cutting-edge global drugs synchronised with international approvals, directly addressing health anxieties within an ageing society .

Why the pivot?

Why has China launched this trillion-dollar offensive now? Beyond hedging against rising manufacturing costs brought by geopolitics and other uncertainties, the move is rooted in a desire for resilient public well-being and a green future. Services are inherently less carbon-intensive, making them a natural vehicle for China’s "Dual Carbon" goals. Furthermore, by opening professional sectors like healthcare, education, and finance to global competition, China is using international standards to catalyse a domestic industrial upgrade, creating a more predictable and transparent business environment.

For global investors, this $14 trillion invitation is both a golden opportunity and a strategic challenge. Future dividends will no longer belong to those seeking cheap labour, but to those who can provide systemic solutions, high-end expertise, and innovative service models. From "Made in China" to "China Service," this is more than a change in name - it is a fundamental transformation of the nation's economic engine. In this new era, China will no longer just consume components and raw materials; it will consume the world’s most sophisticated intelligence and services.

Du Yubin is a journalist and producer for CGTN. He was stationed in Washington, D.C. and London for six years each, focusing on China-US and China-EU relations. He has over 15 years of experience in international communication and new media . The views expressed in this article are the author’s own.

The Global System for Mobile Communication Association of Zambia (GSMAZ) has highlighted the damning effects of these extended power outages. The blackouts, which can last up to 14 hours a day, have forced telecom companies to rely heavily on backup generators. However, these generators are only designed to provide power for a maximum of four hours.

"The power backup at the telecom sites is generally designed to last up to a maximum of four hours, however, owing to the current unprecedented 13 to 14 hours of daily load shedding, there is a huge cost variance not only for the fuel and generator maintenance but also for the associated fuel delivery logistics for the mobile network operators," noted GSMAZ.

The reliance on generators has led to increased operational costs for fuel and maintenance. The frequent need for refuelling and servicing of generators disrupts the continuity of service, leading to compromised quality of telecommunications services.

"Though backup power is available at these sites through generators, instances when there is electricity downtime, and extended load shedding hours, our provision of quality of service is compromised as the generators now require constant refuelling and more frequent servicing cycles," GSMAZ added.

According to Connecting Africa , The root cause of these power outages is largely attributed to severe climate change. Lake Kariba, Zambia's largest man-made lake, has lost over 98% of its water, drastically reducing its capacity to generate electricity.

This has forced the state-owned power utility, ZESCO, to implement rolling blackouts to manage the limited power supply.