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Jacinda Ardern
Photo: Hagen Hopkins / dpa
Western countries have reacted with alarm to a planned cooperation agreement between China and several South Pacific countries.
Beijing is trying to increase its influence in the region, Australia's new prime minister, Anthony Albanese, said on Thursday.
The US government also warned the Pacific States against "opaque" agreements with Beijing.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi dismissed the criticism, albeit more diplomatic, by New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
China's draft pact, entitled "Common Development Vision," envisages far-reaching cooperation in the areas of security and the economy.
According to this, China is planning to provide millions of dollars in support for ten island states.
The draft agreement also offers them the prospect of a free trade agreement with Beijing and access to China's huge market.
In return, the People's Republic would be involved in police training and cybersecurity development, and would have better access to local natural resources.
According to the State Department, the US government fears that the agreements could be negotiated “in a hasty, non-transparent procedure”.
China has a "pattern of offering opaque, vague deals with little transparency or regional understanding," State Department spokesman Ned Price said.
Australia's Prime Minister Albanese also warned of China's growing influence in the region.
Australia must respond and step up its engagement in the Pacific region, he said.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the region has no need of Beijing's security support.
"We firmly believe that in the Pacific region we have the resources and capability to respond to any security challenges that exist," she said.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who embarked on a multi-day trip through eight Pacific countries on Thursday, denied the allegations.
"China's cooperation with the Pacific Island countries is not directed against any particular country," he said during his visit to Honiara, the capital of the Solomon Islands.
»All Pacific Island States have the right to make their own decisions«
He warned other countries not to interfere in the matter.
"All Pacific island nations have the right to make their own decisions." The pact could be finalized on Monday when Wang meets with the region's foreign ministers in Fiji.
more on the subject
South Pacific: China signs 'security deal' with Solomon Islands
The South Pacific is increasingly becoming the arena of competition between China and the United States.
Beijing has been attempting to establish a larger military, political and economic presence in the South Pacific for some time.
Most recently, it has already signed a far-reaching security agreement with the Solomon Islands.
The US and Australia have long feared China could set up a military base in the South Pacific.
This would allow the Chinese Navy to extend its power far beyond its borders.
Wang dismissed this: China had "no intention at all" to set up a military base in the Solomon Islands.
dop/AFP
