Beijing has suggested that some Australian and American media “were parroting Western politicians” “provoking a multilateral security pact yet to be finalized” between China and the Pacific Island nations.
China has been outraged by the strategic partnership meeting between New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and US President Joe Biden, both of whom have expressed growing concern over Beijing’s influence in the Indo-Pacific.
Ms. Ardern reiterated her concern about building a military base in the region that would “fundamentally alter the strategic balance of the region” while focusing on strengthening the security and defense relationship with Washington.
“In particular, the United States and New Zealand share the concern that the establishment of a persistent military presence in the Pacific by a state that does not share our security values or interests would fundamentally alter the strategic balance of the region and it would raise national security concerns for both countries, “reads a joint statement.
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The couple were scheduled to speak for an hour, but talked for another thirty minutes on topics such as the Ukrainian war, climate change and gun laws, but the purpose of the meeting was to discuss China’s growth in Pacific.
Ardern stressed that New Zealand and the US were living in an “incredibly difficult international environment” during the “critical” meeting of the two leaders.
Beijing media spokesman The Global Times responded by suggesting that the two nations were “distorting China’s role in the region” and that “changing rhetoric reflects both its own neocolonial mentality and growing pressure that it cannot bear “.
The publication also argued that New Zealand was joining Australia and the United States, which “were parroting Western politicians” for “exaggerating” a failed multilateral economic and security agreement.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is on tour in seven countries following the signing of the Solomon Islands and Beijing Pact to propose an agreement on policing, security, cybersecurity, climate change support and a new free trade agreement.
He reached another bilateral agreement with Tonga with Papua New Guinea the next stop on his Pacific route.
Wang responded to growing reports of concern, saying that China and the South Pacific island nations were “developing countries and share common concerns” while rejecting suggestions about building a military base in the region.
“China has no interest in competing with anyone or participating in geopolitical competition, and has never established the so-called sphere of influence,” he said after meeting with his Tongan counterpart on Tuesday.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian added that claims of a “setback” after Pacific Island countries agreed not to sign the region-wide security agreement with Beijing are “opaque” “and” only exposes the hegemonic mentality of the United States. “
“The region is not a backyard for anyone, but it should become a great setting for international cooperation rather than a setting for geopolitical games,” he said, in what appeared to be a blow to former Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who refers to the Pacific as Australia’s “backyard”.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong flew to Fiji last week to meet with her counterparts to present the tourist spot that the Albanian government was determined to renew its focus on climate change and economic support in the region.
Senator Wong is on her way to Samoa and Tonga – on her second visit since taking the oath – to strengthen their relationship and make a similar proposal before meeting with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Indonesia over the weekend.