Pacific Nations Reject China Security Pact
Faizan Hashmi Published May 30, 2022 | 02:43 PM
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
Suva, Fiji, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 30th May, 2022 ) :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.
The two sides will "continue to have ongoing and in-depth discussions and consultations to shape more consensus on cooperation", he said, urging those worried by Beijing's intentions not to be "too anxious and don't be too nervous".
The full proposal has not been made public, but was leaked to media including AFP ahead of Monday's meeting.
China has said it will release a "position paper" highlighting the proposals to the public in the coming weeks.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
FIA investigates alleged irregularities in tickets’ sale for PSL, int’l matc ..
IMF approves $1.1b final tranche for Pakistan
Naseem Shah among others who registers for LPL 2024
NAB withdraws LNG reference against Shahid Khaqan Abbasi
Mohsin Naqvi to visit Karachi today
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 30 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 30 April 2024
Wembanyama in France: NBA Spurs to play Pacers in Paris in January
Russian missile kills two in Ukraine's Odesa: governor
Dutch Embassy celebrates King Willem-Alexander's birthday
Need of concrete steps stressed for safe, nutritious milk availability
Scotland's leader Yousaf quits after a year
More Stories From World
-
ChatGPT faces Austria complaint over 'uncorrectable errors'
8 minutes ago -
Indian forest activist at the coalface of mining battle
8 minutes ago -
China says Palestinian groups met for talks in Beijing
8 minutes ago -
Columbia suspends students after call to end Gaza camp unheeded
8 minutes ago -
Ex-Binance chief set for sentencing in US court
8 minutes ago -
Chinese scientists develop fast breeding rice in Xinjiang desert greenhouses
18 minutes ago
-
Minister of communications discusses strengthening partnership to expand growth of digital economy, ..
18 minutes ago -
Vardy leads Leicester to Championship title
38 minutes ago -
Russian strikes kill two in Ukraine's Kharkiv: governor
48 minutes ago -
Pakistan partner of China's BRI through CPEC: Salman Shah
58 minutes ago -
Microsoft CEO pledges $1.7 bn AI, cloud investment in Indonesia
1 hour ago -
S. Korea's unsold homes rise for 4th month in March
1 hour ago