Posted on 07 June 2022
Beijing Foreign Minister Wang Yi has been touring the Pacific signifying Beijing’s desire to build ties to Pacific nations and sign a trade and security deal with 10 countries. The deal involves a range of factors such as cybersecurity and a Chinese-funded police academy. Chinese presence in the Pacific Region is growing, providing close to $1.5 billion in aid last year to pacific nations. Objections to the agreement have been most notable from Fiji, Samoa and Niue in risking Chinese control of economies, governments and key industries in the region.
Commentators have suggested New Zealand needs to follow through with increasing assistance in the Pacific region. Expressing “concern” about China’s influence means little unless New Zealand puts its money where its mouth is. While New Zealand and Australia are responsible for around 55% of all of the aid flowing into the Pacific region, that contribution needs to be seen in perspective.