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Western powers sound alarm on China plan for South Pacific
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BRUSSELS, 28 May 2022, (TON): Western powers sounded the alarm over leaked plans to dramatically expand China’s security and economic reach in the South Pacific, in what one regional leader called a thinly veiled effort to lock island states into Beijing’s orbit.
If approved by Pacific island nations, the wide-ranging draft agreement and a five-year plan would give China a larger security footprint in a region seen as crucial to the interests of the United States and its allies.
Foreign Minister Wang Yi rejected Western criticism of Beijing’s deepening engagement in the Pacific as he launched an eight-nation tour to present the potentially lucrative offer.
He said “China’s cooperation with Pacific Island countries does not target any country.”
He told journalists “all the Pacific island countries are entitled to make their own choice instead of being just mere followers of others.”
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