Talks between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and 10 Pacific island nations failed on Monday in an attempt to reach a major security agreement amid criticism that the deal would push the region toward the “Beijing orbit.”
The virtual summit of leaders and foreign ministers was intended to discuss proposals to significantly increase China’s participation in the security, economy and politics of the South Pacific. However, some regional administrators expressed deep concerns.
“As always, we prioritize consensus,” said Frank Bainimarama, co-host of the meeting and Prime Minister of Fiji, adding that a broad agreement will be needed before any “new regional agreement” is signed.
The Chinese minister is in Fiji’s capital, Suva, for a 10-day diplomatic campaign. China competes with the United States and its allies for influence in the strategically important Pacific.
Ahead of Wang’s visit, China has proposed a deal in which Beijing pledges to train Pacific Island police, act on cybersecurity, expand political ties, and map sensitive sea areas in exchange for greater access to natural resources.
Beijing has also offered millions of dollars in financial aid, a free trade agreement between China and the Pacific Islands, and hope for access to China’s vast market of 1.4 billion.
After Monday’s closed meeting, Wang announced that only 10 Pacific countries had agreed on a memorandum of understanding on the New Silk Road, a Chinese infrastructure initiative.
Western powers are hostile to Chinese influence in the region, and the US State Department has warned South Pacific countries to be wary of “dark and ambiguous deals with little transparency.”
source: Noticias
