Federated States of Micronesia wants deal rejected because it could spark new cold war between China and west while Australia admits ‘we’ve got a lot of work to do’
China will pursue a Pacific-wide deal with almost a dozen island nations covering policing, security and data communications cooperation when the foreign minister, Wang Yi, hosts a meeting in Fiji next week, documents show.
Wang will visit eight Pacific island nations that China holds diplomatic ties with between 26 May and 4 June.He arrives on Thursday in Solomon Islands, which recently signed a security pact with China despite objections from Australia, the US, Japan and New Zealand, which fear it could upset regional security arrangements and give China a military foothold in the Pacific.
The China-Pacific Island Countries Common Development Vision draft document, as well as a five-year action plan, has been circulated by Beijing ahead of the meeting in Fiji. The action plan outlines a ministerial dialogue on law enforcement capacity and police cooperation to be held in 2022, and China providing forensic police laboratories.
The communique also proposes a China-Pacific Islands Free Trade Area and support for action on climate change and health.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Penny Wong laments Australia’s ‘lost decade’ in Pacific as China reportedly seeks new regional dealNewly appointed Foreign Minister Penny Wong says Australia wants to regain its position as 'the partner of choice in the Pacific', as China reportedly moves to seek its own region-wide deal to increase its influence:
Read more »
‘No justification’: Albanese tells China to lift Australian trade bansThe new prime minister criticised Chinese economic coercion while pledging stronger security ties with the US, Japan and India.
Read more »
Albanese ticks all the boxes at Quad but China remains a challengeANALYSIS: His first overseas trip as PM was an early taste of the competing pressures he faces in framing Australian China policy. As Beijing extends another olive branch, Washington toughens up.
Read more »
There’s a growing sense of panic in ChinaEven if the authorities threw the policy kitchen sink at it, however, as long as the zero-COVID approach remains in place the economy is likely to remain challenged and economic conditions volatile. | OPINION by Stephen Bartholomeusz china COVID19
Read more »
White House China backtrack shows Biden's 'confusion'A retired army officer says Joe Biden's vow the US military will intervene to defend Taiwan if China were to invade the island - only to have the White House backtrack on his comments - shows the President's 'confusion'.
Read more »
Drop the trade bans and we’ll talk, Albanese tells ChinaChina should dump its tariffs on Australian exports if it was serious about mending relations with Canberra, Anthony Albanese has suggested.
Read more »