A draft outlining Beijing’s proposals to Pacific nations has been obtained by media outlets FILE PHOTO: National flags for the Pacific Islands Forum are on display on the tiny Pacific nation of Nauru, September 3, 2018. © AP / Jason Oxenham
China plans to offer significant economic and security deals to a series of Pacific nations, according to a draft document leaked to the press as the country’s top diplomat tours the region. The alleged proposals would come after Beijing signed a major agreement with the Solomon Islands, which led to loud objections from Australia and the US.
Dubbed a “comprehensive development vision,” the document was obtained by AFP and the Guardian on Wednesday and lays out offers for Chinese assistance to 10 small island countries. In addition to millions of dollars in aid, the proposals would also give the nations greater access to China’s massive marketplace and enhance security cooperation, allowing Beijing to train up local police forces, for example.
The document leak coincided with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s tour of several Pacific island nations this week, during which he is expected to discuss the offers outlined in the draft, according to AFP. The outlet noted that approval for at least some of the proposals could be decided during a meeting of regional foreign ministers in Fiji later this month.
Wang’s trip follows the signing of a bilateral security pact between China and the Solomon Islands in April, which faced intense criticism from the Australian government and some of its Western allies. (RT)
