Anthony Albanese (Australia’s new Prime Minister), made the statement on Sky News Sunday. Wang Yi, China’s Foreign Minister, is currently in Fiji to meet with the archipelago leader and Pacific foreign minsters. Australia and China are involved in a fierce struggle for Pacific influence.
Wang Yi visited the region Thursday to discuss a broad agreement as well as a five-year plan for strengthening economic and security cooperation between these countries.
These secret projects were presented to 12 Pacific countries. These leaked projects have raised concerns from the Western camp, particularly Australia and the United States, who fear that Beijing will increase its economic and security influence in the region.
Anthony Albanese also criticised the Australian government’s failures in the region, pointing out its inability to commit and its reduction in aid.
The Labor Prime Minister stated that climate change was a security concern for Pacific neighbours.
He stated that his government will make a stronger commitment to fighting climate change, but also increase its aid to the region and create a school for defense training in the Pacific.
During the recent election campaign to the legislative elections Mr. Albanese from the Labor Party had stated that this school would be made up of forces from Papua New Guinea and Fiji, Tonga East Timor, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, East Timor and Vanuatu. He said that this was received positively.
Australia was shocked to learn that Beijing signed a security agreement with Solomon Islands in April. This is a way for Beijing’s military presence in the region.
On Sunday, the Chinese minister met with Henry Puna, Secretary General of Pacific Islands Forum. Henry Puna stressed that the economic recovery following the Covid pandemic as well as “urgent and ambitious” action on climate change must be the focus of their discussions.
Henry Puna stated, “We are pleased by China’s climate change commitments.”
Wang was on his Pacific tour and visited Kiribati. There he signed ten memorandums covering economic cooperation, climate change, security, and other issues.
He also visited Samoa Islands where he signed a bilateral agreement for “greater cooperation”.
He will also visit Vanuatu, Tonga and Papua New Guinea as part of the tour.
