NZ's strong ties with the Pacific are 'enough' to fend off China, says Aupito

Monday, 11 July 2022

New Zealand's long-standing relationship and strong cultural ties with the Pacific are “enough” to fend off a superpower like China, Associate Foreign Minister Aupito William Sio says.

Aupito met with Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) foreign ministers in Fiji as part of the Leaders Summit which started on Monday. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is also attending.

Beijing’s influence in the region is expected to top the agenda, among ongoing issues such as climate, climate, Covid-19, and most recently the threat of Micronesia to withdraw from the forum.

Representatives from 15 countries and 21 international partners are gathering in Suva from July 11-14 amid growing concerns about China's influence in the Pacific – highlighted by a security agreement with the Solomon Islands in May.

“The Pacific sees us in a different light from other nations,” Associate Foreign Affairs Minister Aupito William Sio said of New Zealand’s role within the Pacific. (File photo.)

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Pacific Islands Forum secretary-general Henry Puna is facing intense pressure from the Micronesian states over his leadership.

Aupito, who is also Minister for Pacific Peoples, said while the pandemic has highlighted challenges for smaller nations, New Zealand’s role is significant because “the Pacific see us in a different light from other nations.

“Our strong relationship with our Pasifika whānau is enough – they can trust that our approach is about the welfare of everyone in the region. This will enable NZ to counter cheap loans or guaranteed infrastructure from China.”

Aupito said the unity of the region and viability of its infrastructure, will be at the heart of this forum.

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, second right, arrives in Fiji for the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Summit.

Pacific leaders will also focus on combating common challenges, forum secretary-general Henry Puna said on Monday.

Puna said the implementation of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent would also be discussed. “It’s time that we look at a guiding principle – a framework to guide our collective path to 2050 and beyond,” the former Cook Islands prime minister said.

But Puna is also facing huge pressure at the helm of the regional premier political institution. Micronesia is threatening to withdraw its support of the forum. On Sunday, Kiribati President Taneti Maamau announced his government was leaving the forum because it was concerned with the forum leadership.

But Puna said a strategic pathway is needed to bring the whole region together. “There are many challenges before us now – climate change, recovery from the pandemic and the increase in geopolitical interest in our region. We need to be united if we are to navigate these challenges.

“Climate change is our biggest challenge. I believe that we are now fast approaching the tipping point where there won’t be any return, not just for us in the Pacific but, for the whole world.

“That will continue to be our absolute priority and it’s comforting to hear the noises coming out from Australia from the new government.”

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his Pacific envoy Penny Wong will attend the forum meeting.

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare opened the summit with a prayer. The Solomons’ leader is expected to be asked to clarify his government’s security deal with Beijing.

In his welcome address, Forum Chair Frank Bainimarama said the new 2050 strategy sets out a long-term vision to drive political and development aspirations and approaches to critical challenges in the Pacific.

“Our region is committed to working closely with this forum for solutions that benefit all of us,” the Fijian prime minister said.

“When we look at the challenges that lie before us, we also become painfully aware of what we have left behind us,” said Bainimarama.

“Any nation or group of nations cannot solve its own problems while the rest of the world struggles to survive.”

The Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting ends on Thursday. Member states include Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.