Pacific Islands leaders began a week-long summit yesterday in the Solomon Islands, where they are expected to endorse an “Ocean of Peace” declaration amid concern over rising tensions between the US and China.
The leaders are also expected to back Australia’s bid to host the COP31 UN climate summit, after Canberra pledged to work closely with its island neighbors to raise awareness of the challenges they face from rising sea levels and worsening storms.
Pressure from China to block Taiwan’s participation at the forum, being held in Honiara, led to the Solomon Islands canceling the attendance of two dozen donor partners, including China, Taiwan and the US.
Photo: EPA
Among 18 forum members, three have diplomatic ties with Taiwan, three have defense compacts with the US, and several are French territories. Thirteen of the members have ties with China.
The largest forum member, Australia, is the region’s biggest aid donor and has stepped up efforts to block China’s expansion of its security presence in the region, after Beijing and the Solomon Islands struck a pact in 2022.
New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters last month said it was “obvious” that outside forces were meddling in the summit.
“Outsiders are now telling us who we can have as guests. That’s not the Pacific way,” he said.
Mihai Sora, who heads the Pacific Islands Program at the Lowy Institute, said that China had become the “elephant in the room.”
“China is effectively shaping the Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting, and it’s not actually a member of the Pacific Islands Forum,” the former Australian diplomat said.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is expected to arrive in Honiara tomorrow, after visiting Vanuatu, where he is expected to sign a landmark A$500 million (US$329.14 million) deal to strengthen economic and security ties.
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said his country had advocated strongly for the donor partners to attend to discuss development opportunities, but added the forum was united nonetheless.
Leaders metings are to begin tomorrow Honiara, and would primarily take place behind closed doors.
On Thursday, they would head to the picturesque seaside settlement of Munda, more than 300km from the capital, for a “leaders retreat.”
Additional reporting by AFP
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