The ten Pacific islands on Monday refused to push China for a comprehensive regional security agreement over fears that the proposal was designed to attract them to Beijing. Fiji talks between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and the island state leaders failed to reach an agreement at a major diplomatic rally for Beijing.
China offers a radical expansion of its activities in the South Pacific, directly questioning the influence of the United States and its allies in the strategically important region. The proposed agreement will allow Beijing to train the Pacific police, engage in cyber security, expand political ties, map sensitive navies and gain better access to natural land and water resources.
Beijing offers millions of dollars in financial assistance, the prospect of a potentially high-income China-Pacific free trade agreement, and access to a large Chinese market of 1.4 billion people. Behind the scenes, Pacific leaders expressed deep scepticism about the offer. In a recent letter to fellow leaders, David Panuelo, president of the Federated States of Micronesia, warned that the offer was “unfair” and “Chinese influence in government” and “economic control.”
Much slower public speaking came after talks in which leaders said they did not agree with Beijing’s proposed “common development vision” due to a lack of consensus in the region. As always, we prefer consensus,” said co-host and Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama after the meeting, pointing out that a comprehensive agreement is needed before “new regional agreements” can be signed. Papua New Guinea, Samoa, and the Federated States of Micronesia are said to be among the concerned proposals, along with Palau-recognized Taiwan, which has not been invited. “We would rather address our security issues in China,” Papua New Guinea’s Foreign Minister Soroi Eoe told AFP, expressing concern about any agreement in the region. Chinese officials, who worked hard to gain support during Wang’s 10-day diplomatic attack in the region, admitted that their requests had failed.
“There is total support from 10 countries,” China’s ambassador to Fiji, Qian Bo, told reporters in Suva. “But of course, there are some concerns about some specific issues, and we agree that the two documents will be discussed until we reach an agreement.”
Speaking of Suva, Wang personally announced austerity measures that 10 countries had agreed to memoranda of understanding on China’s “Belt and Trail” initiative.
