Pacific journalists have expressed serious concern about the secrecy surrounding the upcoming Pacific marathon tour of China’s Foreign Ministry, which will visit eight countries in 10 days.
Wang Yi will visit the Solomon Islands, Kiribati, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Fiji from May 26 to June 4, on a tour of the region that has been described as “extraordinary and unparalleled.” precedents “by Pacific experts.
It comes at a time when China’s commitment to the region has experienced an “increase in pace” as it seeks to cement relations and sign economic, infrastructure and security agreements.
Wang Yi’s first stop is expected to be in the Solomon Islands on Thursday, where it will be based on an alliance that has been in the international spotlight in recent months after the draft security agreement was leaked. two governments.
Despite speculation about the trip for weeks, China’s foreign ministry declined to answer questions about a possible visit until Tuesday night, the eve of the trip. Even then, Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin declined to confirm when Wang Yi would arrive in the Solomon Islands.
Journalists seeking to cover the Solomon Islands tour stage for international media say they have been barred from attending press events, while journalists with access have an extremely limited ability to ask questions.
Georgina Kekea, president of the Solomon Islands Media Association, said that obtaining information about Wang’s visit to the country, including an itinerary, had been very difficult.
“We’ve been asking for copies of the program so we can get involved in getting videos or interviews, but it doesn’t come. I don’t know what to call that, if it’s a restriction on the press, I guess so, “he said.
He said there was only one press conference scheduled in Honiara during Wang’s two-day visit on Thursday, but that only journalists from two Solomon Islands newspapers, the national broadcaster and the Chinese media could attend. hi.
Reporters like Kekea, who often work for international media outlets such as The Guardian and Al Jazeera, have not received credentials for the event.
“We know that the borders of the Solomon Islands have been closed since 2020, so we don’t have international journalists to cover the story and it’s an event of international interest, so some of the journalists work for international organizations … but we don’t know “It gives us the opportunity to be part of the media group that has credentials to be there in person,” he said.
Kekea said the reason given was concern for Covid, but thought it was “just an excuse.” The Solomon Islands reported 18,000 cases of the virus and about 150 deaths, with an increase in deaths at the end of February.
Kekea added that of the program he has seen, the press will have the opportunity to ask only two questions to the Foreign Minister: one from a Solomon Islands journalist and another from the Chinese media.
“It’s pretty worrying for us, we really have a good freedom to do our job, but when it comes to these events, it seems like they’re blocking us.”
There is still secrecy surrounding the text of the security agreement signed by China and the Solomon Islands. It has not been made public or shared with parliamentarians, although the Opposition calls for this to happen.
Dorothy Wickham, a veteran Solomon Islands journalist, wrote earlier this month that since the draft security deal was leaked, she has seen a different media “blackout” than she has experienced during her three years. decades as a journalist.
On the next visit, Wickham tweeted: “Well, we hope they will treat us with some kind of respect and give us a press conference after we have completed all the paperwork.”
China is widely expected to sign more agreements with the Solomon Islands during its visit and will also seek to sign agreements with other Pacific nations during the tour.
Vanuatu has just signed a contract with China for the construction of a new runway extension at Pekoa Airport on Santo Island to allow access for larger aircraft, making it accessible to to the delivery of humanitarian aid.
There are concerns that Kiribati may sign an agreement with China to grant special fishing rights to the Phoenix Islands Protected Area (PIPA), which was one of the largest marine protected areas in the world, until the government Kiribati announced last year that it would open PIPA. to commercial fishing.
Dr. Anna Powles, a senior professor of security studies at Massey University in New Zealand, said that while Australia, New Zealand and the United States will be watching China’s Pacific tour closely, there is no such thing. there is much they can or should do to prevent the sovereign nations of the Pacific from signing. deals with China.
“These are sovereign countries that will seek agreements based on their national interests,” he said.
“What Australia, New Zealand and the United States can do is look for better partners and try to deepen that relationship so that when agreements like these are made, New Zealand and Australia in particular can support the Pacific countries to get the best deal. possible … and from a strategic point of view that reduces the space of permits where China can operate ”.