China helps put Pacific island countries onto political radar

Note: The following is an edited translation of a commentary from the Chinese-language "Commentaries on International Affairs."

Visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping put forward a four-point proposal for deepening relations at a collective meeting with government leaders and officials of eight Pacific island countries in Port Moresby that would see a deepening of political trust, adherence to mutually-beneficial cooperation for common prosperity, work to increase the friendship among their respective peoples, and efforts to safeguard fairness and justice. 

Chinese President Xi Jinping hosts a collective meeting with Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O'Neill, President Peter Christian of the Federated States of Micronesia, Prime Minister Tuilaepa Malielegaoi of Samoa, Vanuatu Prime Minister Charlot Salwai, Prime Minister Henry Puna of the Cook Islands, Prime Minister Samuela Akilisi Pohiva of Tonga, Niue Premier Toke Talagi and Fiji government representative, Defense Minister Ratu Inoke Kubuabola, and delivers a keynote speech in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, Nov. 16, 2018. [Photo:Xinhua]

President Xi’s visit to Papua New Guinea has attracted wide attention from Western media, which has focused on China’s growing influence in the South Pacific. A report by the Associated Press said China’s footprints can be seen everywhere in Port Moresby, from roads and an international convention center built with China’s help, to bus shelters bearing “China Aid” plaques. And on the eve of President Xi’s arrival, newspapers in the country ran a full-page statement from him that exhorted Pacific island nations to “set sail on a new voyage” in their relations with China. 

Pacific island countries achieved independence from Western colonial rule not long ago. Their economies are still in the early stage of industrialization and are perched on weak foundations. While receiving economic aid from their former suzerains, this aid is often subject to political constraints. By contrast, China maintains that all countries are equal regardless of their size, and it respects the rights of the peoples in Pacific island countries to choose their own development paths. This is why it has come to the region offering assistance free of political preconditions.

The China-PNG Integrated Agriculture Industrial Park offers an example. By cultivating suitable crops and aquaculture products, it helps to improve the lives of local residents, and also enhances the independent development capacity of PNG by cultivating a new generation of agricultural experts. Apart from the aforementioned roads and the national convention center, China also helped build over 100 projects in the region, including schools, hospitals, bridges, and sports facilities. 

China’s aid has made some Western countries fearful that they may lose their influence in the South Pacific. The narrative from sections of their media, academic circles, and government has repeatedly attacked China. Samoa’s Prime Minister Tuilaepa Malielegaoi has described such criticism as “insulting” to Pacific island leaders, and Tonga’s Minister of Justice Sione Fa’otusia called it “sad indeed”.

Some Western countries have started to imitate China, increasing their investment and aid to the region in an attempt to weaken or at least counter China's growing influence. A report released in August by Australia’s Lowy Institute for International Policy shows that Australia’s foreign aid budget had reached its lowest level since it was cut by 11 billion U.S. dollars. But last week Australia’s new Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that his country would offer a two-billion-U.S.-dollar infrastructure financing facility for Pacific nations. And Papua New Guinea’s Post Courier reported that United States Vice President Mike Pence would announce up to 60 billion U.S. dollars in regional assistance at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders’ Summit. This Western aid would greatly help to promote the development of the region. 

China is not concerned by these developments: It is thanks to China’s efforts in the region that Papua New Guinea and other countries in the region have appeared on the world’s political radar.  Compared with the West, China's help to South Pacific island countries covers all aspects of bilateral relations. At his meeting in Port Moresby with leaders and officials from Pacific island countries, President Xi promised that China would open up its market to these island countries, and increase its investment in and imports from those countries. He also stressed that China supports them in developing their own voice in global affairs, and in advancing the "Blue Pacific" initiative that seeks to develop the region’s stewardship of the Pacific Ocean.

The leaders of the Pacific island countries expressed their belief at the meeting with President Xi that China is an important partner in their efforts to realize their vision for development, and it is one that will enhance their people's wellbeing and help them to respond to global challenges. This week has truly marked the beginning of a new era in cooperation in the Pacific.