China fails to sign bold deal with Pacific island states, finds more modest gains

Suva, Fiji: China on Monday failed to put in place a bold plan to get 10 Pacific nations to approve a sweeping new deal covering everything from security to fisheries, as some in the region expressed deep concerns .

But there have been many small victories for Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi as he continues his island-hopping tour of the region.

Wang was in Fiji to co-host a key meeting with the foreign ministers of the 10 island nations.

At an unusual press conference afterwards, Wang and Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama spoke for about 30 minutes, then abruptly walked off the stage as reporters tried to shout questions. This left many details of what happened at the meeting unanswered.

But it was clear that the nations had not approved of China’s plan.

“As always, we prioritize consensus among our countries in any discussion of new regional agreements,” Bainimarama said.

As the international community grows increasingly concerned about Beijing’s military and financial ambitions in the region, many Fijians see an advantage in foreign investment, wherever it comes from, as long as it uplifts the people.

Georgina Matilda said working for Chinese infrastructure company China Railway meant she could put food on the table for her children.

Another Fiji, Miliane Rokolita, said China’s increased presence has benefited the people.

“They bring us bigger houses. They bring money to Fiji. They are good people,” Rokolita said.

Documents obtained by The Associated Press indicate that Wang had hoped to get the 10 nations to endorse a pre-written agreement in a joint statement after the meeting.

But Wang could not get the consensus he was looking for.

David Panuelo, president of the Federated States of Micronesia, told other Pacific leaders he would not endorse the plan, warning them in a letter that it would unnecessarily escalate geopolitical tensions and threaten regional stability.

Panuelo called it “the most revolutionary proposed deal in the Pacific of our lifetimes” and said it “threatens to bring a new era of Cold War at best, and world war at worst.”

At Monday’s press conference, Wang listed some areas where countries were able to reach agreement and said he would continue to work on others.

“After the meeting, China will issue its own position paper on our own positions, proposals and proposals for cooperation with Pacific island countries,” Wang said through an interpreter. “And going forward, we will continue to have ongoing and thorough discussions and consultations to achieve greater consensus.”

While China may not have succeeded in realizing its plans for a big multilateral deal, it signed smaller bilateral deals with Pacific nations every day during Mr. Wang’s tour.

For example, on May 27, Wang traveled to Kiribati, where a key fishing area the size of California is at stake. The Kiribati government later said the two nations had signed 10 agreements ranging from cooperation on economic objectives to the construction of a specific bridge.

The Kiribati government did not immediately respond to a request for The Associated Press to provide details of the agreements.

Speaking at his press conference, Wang said “some wonder why China is so actively supporting Pacific island countries.”

He said China has a long history of championing other developing countries both in the Pacific and around the world, something it started doing in the 1960s when it helped African countries build roads. of iron.

“My advice for these people is: don’t be too anxious and don’t be too nervous,” Wang said.

A draft proposed multilateral agreement obtained by The Associated Press shows that China wants to train Pacific police officers, team up on “traditional and non-traditional security” and expand law enforcement cooperation.

China also wants to jointly develop a marine plan for fisheries – which would include the lucrative catches of Pacific tuna – increase cooperation on managing the region’s internet networks and set up Confucius cultural institutes and classrooms. China also raises the possibility of creating a free trade area with the Pacific countries.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a May 26 speech that China poses an even greater long-term threat than Russia.

“China is the only country with both the intention to reshape the international order and, increasingly, the economic, diplomatic, military and technological might to do so,” he said. “Beijing’s vision would take us away from the universal values ​​that have underpinned so much progress in the world over the past 75 years.”

China hit back, saying the US was spreading disinformation. The purpose of Blinken’s speech was to “contain and suppress China’s development and maintain US hegemony,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said. “We strongly deplore and reject this.”

China says that in the Pacific, cooperation between Beijing and island nations has blossomed into a development welcomed by those countries.

In Fiji, the economy has been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic. The vital tourism industry shut down overnight and GDP shrank by more than 15%. As the world reopens, Fiji is trying to bounce back and many are happy to see China signing the checks.

China’s involvement in the region does not come completely out of nowhere. There has been a long history of Chinese immigration to Fiji, with many Chinese Fijians running convenience stores and other businesses.

“There is a good side and a bad side,” said Nora Nabukete, a student at the University of the South Pacific. “We’re putting more money into the economy, being pumped and stuff, but there’s also a side where they’re bringing in a lot of new things that are new to Fijian culture.”

Nabukete worries about the seedier side that has been associated with Chinese investment in Fiji – a supposed influx of gambling, gangs and drugs.

She said aligning with China could mean that Fiji creates tension with the United States and other Western countries, and for this reason she hopes Fiji will not endorse Wang’s deal.

“There’s so much more to lose in the future than what we’re going through now if Fiji signs,” she said.

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