Chinese Embassy in Australia while rejecting the notion of ‘sphere of influence’ in the region has emphasized that South Pacific should not be the battlefield for geopolitical maneuvering.
“China has never interfered in the internal affairs of island countries, nor sought so-called “sphere of influence” in the region”, said a statement issued by the embassy.
Chinese embassy issued the statement in response to various queries about State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi official visit to eight South Pacific Island countries within ten days.
Chinese Foreign Minister along a 20-strong delegation arrived in the Solomon Islands Thursday at the start of an eight-nation tour as Australia sent its own Foreign Minister Penny Wong to Fiji to shore up support in the Pacific in a bid to counter the move by China.
“China and South Pacific Island countries are good friends and good partners pursuing common development on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit”, the statement said.
According to the embassy statement, cooperation between China and PICs covers more than 20 areas including trade, investment, ocean affairs, environmental protection, disaster prevention and mitigation, poverty alleviation, health care, education, tourism, culture, sports and at the sub-national level. China has signed Belt and Road cooperation MOUs with all the 10 PICs having diplomatic relations with China.
“The aid and assistance from China have never left any island country mired in debt or security threat as China believes that the South Pacific has never been and should not be the battlefield for geopolitical maneuvering”, statement read.
The statement stressed that China always respects the historical and traditional ties between Australia and the Pacific island countries as China and Australia have their own unique strengths and advantages, which are complementary forces to help the South Pacific island countries achieve faster and better development.
“There is enough space in the vast Pacific Ocean for China, Australia and all island countries to share peace, development and prosperity”, statement added.
Chinese embassy called for close cooperation between China and Australia to achieve that goal with the unique contribution from both nations.
“This is not only the common aspiration and hope of the governments and peoples of the Pacific island countries, but should also be the lofty strategic goal and ambition of the great nations of China and Australia”.
Embassy highlighted that visit by State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi to the South Pacific aims to deepen the friendly and cooperative relationship between China and relevant countries, and contributes to peace, stability and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific.
“China is ready to work with the PICs in taking this visit as an opportunity to further strengthen high-level exchange, consolidate political mutual trust, expand practical cooperation, and deepen people-to-people bond so as to build an even closer community with a shared future for China and Pacific Island countries”.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong who is in Fiji addressed the Pacific Islands Forum. She said it was up to each island nation to decide what partnerships they formed and what agreements they signed, but urged them to consider the benefits of sticking with Australia.
“Australia will be a partner that doesn’t come with strings attached nor imposing unsustainable financial burdens. We are a partner that won’t erode Pacific priorities or Pacific institution”, she said.
Chinese foreign minister while addressing the joint press conference in Honiara along Solomon Islands foreign minister Manele stressed that China’s cooperation with Pacific Island countries does not target any country and should not be interfered or disrupted by any other country.
He criticized the previous Australian governments describing the Pacific islands as being in the country’s “backyard”.
“They are not the backyard of anyone. All the Pacific Island countries are entitled to make their own choice instead of being just mere followers of others”, Mr Wang said.
