China-Fiji link raised

Prime Minister John Key is continuing to tread carefully over China's relationship with Fiji, saying a collaborative approach to Pacific Island issues will get the best results.

Fiji's self-imposed leader Frank Bainimarama has continued to inflame international opposition by ramping up political reforms over the past two weeks.

China has financially supported Fiji and there have been concerns that continued aid could undermine attempts by Pacific countries to encourage a return to democracy in Fiji.

Mr Key, who is on an official visit to China, was asked yesterday about China considering loans to Fiji of US$228 million ($405 million).

"If we could work constructively with China when it comes to aid ... then I think we can add value and I think it can deliver better results for everybody," he said.

"In the end, though, China is an independent country and it is free to make commercial loans wherever it wants to, we can't stop that, nor would we try to."

- NZPA