10 Pacific Island Countries Reject China's Regional Security

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10 Pacific Island Countries Reject China's Regional Security Pact
Talks in Fiji between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and leaders from the small island nations failed to reach an agreement.
WorldAgence France-PresseUpdated: May 30, 2022

Suva (Fiji):

Ten Pacific island nations rebuffed China's push for a wide-ranging regional security pact Monday, amid worries the proposal was designed to pull them into Beijing's orbit.

Talks in Fiji between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and leaders from the small island nations failed to reach an agreement, in a high-profile diplomatic setback for Beijing.

China is offering to radically ramp up its activities in the South Pacific, directly challenging the influence of the United States and its allies in the strategically vital region.

The proposed pact would see Beijing train Pacific island police, become involved in cybersecurity, expand political ties, conduct sensitive marine mapping and gain greater access to natural resources on land and in the water.

As an enticement, Beijing is offering millions of dollars in financial assistance, the prospect of a potentially lucrative China-Pacific islands free trade agreement and access to China's vast market of 1.4 billion people.

Behind the scenes, Pacific leaders have voiced deep misgivings about the offer.

In a recent letter to fellow leaders, David Panuelo, the President of the Federated States of Micronesia, warned the offer was "disingenuous" and would "ensure Chinese influence in government" and "economic control" of key industries.

A more soft-spoken public rebuke came after the talks, when leaders said they could not agree to Beijing's proposed "Common Development Vision" due to a lack of regional consensus.

"As always, we put consensus first," co-host and Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama said after the meeting, indicating that broad accord would be needed before inking any "new regional agreements".

Papua New Guinea, Samoa and the Federated States of Micronesia were said to be among those concerned about the proposals, along with Taiwan-recognising Palau, which was not invited.

"We would rather deal with our own security issues with China," Papua New Guinea Foreign Minister Soroi Eoe told AFP, indicating concern about any region-wide pact.

Chinese officials -- working frantically to secure support during Wang's 10-day diplomatic blitz of the region -- admitted their entreaties had fallen short.

"There has been general support from the 10 countries," Chinese ambassador to Fiji Qian Bo told reporters in Suva. "But of course, there are some concerns on some specific issues and we have agreed that these two documents will be discussed afterwards until we have reached an agreement."

Speaking from Suva, Wang made the face-saving announcement that the 10 countries had agreed to memorandums of understanding on China's "Belt and Road" infrastructure initiative.

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Liberal Senator James Paterson says he would be "very sceptical" of the Chinese government's rhetoric on improving relations in the Pacific until he sees it take "tangible steps". It comes as China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi said he was committed to enhance communication with all countries who care about the Pacific –…

Beijing has placed New Zealand on warning and attacked the United States for creating an “anti-China” alliance after Jacinda Ardern and Joe Biden expressed concerns over the communist country’s influence in the Pacific.

The two leaders met in Washington on Tuesday where they discussed China’s emergence the region including potential plans to build a military base on the Solomon Islands.

Beijing has repeatedly rejected the claims but has taken serious issue with New Zealand’s recent expression of concern.

China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said the countries’ joint statement “distorts” Beijing’s presence in the South Pacific.

“We noted the relevant contents of the joint statement, which distorts and smears China’s normal cooperation with Pacific Island countries,” Mr Zhao said during his daily press conference on Wednesday (local time).

The senior communist official defended China’s position in the Pacific amid attempts to secure a security deal with up to 10 nations in the region and similar pacts being signed with Samoa and the Solomon Islands.

“Such cooperation is conducive to peace, stability and development of the Solomon Islands and the South Pacific and proceeds in parallel with existing regional arrangements,” he said.

“The hype-up of relevant issues in the joint statement by the US and New Zealand is out of ulterior motives to create disinformation and attack and discredit China.

Kinda like seeing the headline "ten hens reject fox's plan for joint security".

The rejection part is hardly newsworthy!