China aims to expand its influence in the South Pacific amid reports that it reached out to the Solomon Islands and nine other island nations in the region with a sweeping security proposal that could give it a presence much nearer Hawaii, Australia, and New Zealand.
The alleged move would also place Beijing on the doorstep of the strategic American territory of Guam. Chinese authorities have insisted that its security proposals are targeted at regional stability and economic growth, but experts and governments have expressed concern that beneath the surface, it is a bold attempt to expand its reach in a strategically critical region.
China's New Security Proposal
The president of Micronesia, David Panuelo, whose nation is of the regions targeted by China, warned the others against signing on the security proposal. He said it "threatens to bring a new Cold War at best, and a world war at worst."
In a letter, Panuelo warned that aside from the impacts on sovereignty, the expansion would increase the chances of China getting into conflict with Australia, Japan, the United States, and New Zealand on the day when Beijing decides to invade the self-governing island nation of Taiwan, as per the Associated Press.
The Micronesia leader also noted that China did not rule out using brute force to take the island nation, which it repeatedly claimed was part of its territory despite never actually being in control of it. A proposal draft showed that Beijing wants to train Pacific police officers, team up on "traditional and non-traditional security," and expand law enforcement cooperation.
Read Also: China, Russia Join Force To Block U.S. Efforts To Impose New Sanctions Against North Korea
Furthermore, the Asian superpower also wants to jointly develop a marine plan for fisheries and raises the possibility of free trade with the Pacific nations. China is believed to be targeting the Solomon Islands, Kiribati, Samoa, Fiji, Tonga, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, the Cook Islands, Niue, and Micronesia but excludes the Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, and Tuvalu, all of which recognize Taiwan as a country.
According to CNN, the draft proposal is expected to be discussed at the second China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers' Meeting that will be held in Fiji next week. The talks are part of a 10-day regional diplomatic tour by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
Expanding Influence in the South Pacific
The Chinese official's tour began on Thursday when he visited the Solomon Islands and will bring the minister to Kiribati, Samoa, Fiji, Tonga, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, and East Timor. It is not immediately clear whether or not the proposed deal would gain comprehensive support among Pacific Island nations that have relations with Beijing.
However, if accepted, the proposal would mark a significant advance in Beijing's connection to the region, which holds geo-strategic importance in the Indo-Pacific. The U.S. and Australia are wary of China, which has grown increasingly assertive in the South China Sea, extending its reach further into Pacific waters.
U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price, while in Washington, expressed his concerns on Wednesday about China's intentions with the new security proposal. He said that Beijing might use the proposed deal to take advantage of the islands and destabilize the region, CNBC reported.
