Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with leaders and authorities of 10 Pacific island countries on Monday, part of a diplomatic tour that has raised concerns in the United States and its allies in the region. .
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The virtual meeting led by the Chinese foreign minister, which is in the capital of Fiji, brought together representatives from the Solomon Islands, Kiribati, Samoa, Fiji, Tonga, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Cook Islands, Niue and the Federated States of Micronesia. These are all countries that maintain diplomatic relations with the Asian giant and are part of the Pacific Islands Forum.
Chinese media reported that Beijing was seeking to sign a five-year agreement with ten Pacific nations that would include access to maritime and fisheries resources, as well as the possible dispatch of security forces, among other issues.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to Meet Top Diplomats from Pacific Islands: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is in Fiji today to meet top diplomats from Pacific island nations. CGTN correspondent Greg Navarro provides more details on Suva, the capital of Fiji. pic.twitter.com/u3zh5jMlhd
— World News 24 (@DailyWorld24)
May 30, 2022
The Chinese foreign minister is expected to stay until Tuesday in Fiji’s capital, where he will meet with local leaders and foreign ministers from Pacific countries.
The head of Chinese diplomacy must also visit Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea and Tonga to conclude his tour of some Pacific island nations.
This possible agreement promoted by China has raised concerns among some countries in the region, who have pointed out that the pact will lead to greater influence for Beijing in the Pacific.
The Chinese diplomat began a 10-day tour of the Pacific last Wednesday, which raised alarm bells in the United States, Australia and New Zealand, which have so far wielded greater influence in these island nations.
