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China eyes security pact in Pacific Island summit

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In other words . . .

China: We will give you lots of money if you just hand your islands over to us.

6 ( +13 / -7 )

well its China time.sooner or later China will get own ground in that area.

-6 ( +5 / -11 )

China has much the same rights as USA. These Pacific islands just need to be convinced which one (China or US) has the better security offer.

-2 ( +7 / -9 )

I thought the entire world understands China and its methods to obtain area | land | countries around the world, in order to grow their military capabilities and communistic influence as well.

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

China's time came and went. China is on the way out already. Out of favor thanks to belligerence and hostile aggressive moves in the region.

China wants the pacific nations to sign over sovereignty without a fight, and all to become vassals under direct Chinese control. Lets see how many naive leaders the Pacific has.

Once China has control it will turn the help off when ever a leader says something China does not like. Internet speed throttled or disconnected at China's discretion. A true nightmare in the making for the Pacific region, thanks to Chinese interference.

They should all vote "no thanks" and remain free and sovereign.

-3 ( +7 / -10 )

I agree with you Peter14 , however some of these Pacific Island leaders will be won over by Chinese Gov't as millions of bucks are promised to them....so unfortunately Money/ Greed talks...everything else walks...

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

What China does best and what the USA and its allies do best are completely different strategies.

Pacific islands nations haven't exactly been treated kindly or fairly under the USA and its allies.

Don't be surprised if the Pacific nations turn to China for security and economic stability.

1 ( +7 / -6 )

@ peter14

A true nightmare in the making for the Pacific region. thanks to Chinese interference

The true nightmare in reality is what the Australian/British , French and USA nuclear testing and dumping and colonization did to the Pacific islands nations.

We all know what a large grudge the Pacific islands nations have about that living nightmare of atrocities.

European economy stability and security is definitely not doing well.

I regret to admit that China appears to be still thriving and not on a slippery slope.

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

Pacific islands nations haven't exactly been treated kindly or fairly under the USA and its allies.

They have been treated kindly, but more could have been done.

Don't be surprised if the Pacific nations turn to China for security and economic stability.

Security for the region post WWII has been provided by New Zealand and Australia, with help from Fiji and Papua new Guinea.

Australia funds, builds and maintains modern patrol boats for the Pacific nations, and replaces them with new ones when they need upgrading.

https://www.austal.com/ships/guardian-class-patrol-boat-austal-patrol-40

New Zealand and Australia provide free aid and grants to the Pacific nations and in times of trouble send all the help that is required, in supplies and police and troops if needed.

China offers loans to be paid back with high interest and severe penalties if they cant pay.

As China often says to others, it should stay out of other peoples regions and not interfere in local issues that do not concern it. But again with China it is always, do as I say, not as I do.

1 ( +6 / -5 )

As an enticement, Beijing is offering millions of dollars in financial assistance, the prospect of a China-Pacific Islands free trade agreement and access to China's vast market of 1.4 billion people.

Only Pacific nations that recognize China over Taiwan will attend today's summit, including those Wang has already visited on his regional whistle-stop -- Solomon Islands, Kiribati, Samoa and Fiji.

I definitely understand why these tiny countries would do this because most already have been caught up in world wars and they are very vulnerable in many ways. They need to find a good balance between the superpowers. I'm sure none of them trust communist China.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Kyo wa heiwa dayo neToday  12:04 pm JST

Pacific islands nations haven't exactly been treated kindly or fairly under the USA and its allies.

As if the Tibetans and Uighurs have.....

0 ( +7 / -7 )

When one island , or group of islands, agree to turn their back and not recognize another island fighting for its survival, then you know nefarious forces are working their magic, whispering in all the right ears and souls are being bought. Sounds very much like some very clever manipulation, why do the distant drums from Lord of the Rings spring to mind when thinking about all this stuff? You can almost see the chessboard in motion. The future something is forming! Cue the drums!

2 ( +3 / -1 )

well its China time.sooner or later China will get own ground in that area.

oh ok then China wont mind if the US sets up a military base in Taiwan

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

These Pacific Island countries face short-terms needs in terms of the economy, health, education and other areas. They also face long-term threats from climate and sea level change. China has the hot economy. The environmental policies of former Australian Prime Minister Morrison left much to be desired.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Short term needs with long term financial leeching.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

China has much the same rights as USA. These Pacific islands just need to be convinced which one (China or US) has the better security offer.

@Seigi

It's almost completely NOT about 'Security' for the locals.

The switch from Taiwan to China in the Solomons started with tuna fishing rights, a Chinese company sidelined a Taiwanese company. Same money, pure switch, cancelled Taiwan, transfer to China.

Taiwan, NZ or Australia was not prepared to exploit Solomons forestry, because it would displace locals, the Chinese had no qualms displacing locals to get to timber, they upset so many there was a riot, which Australia had to quell. But Australia did not prioritise Chinese businesses in its role to bring calm back to the island.

China has obviously eyed and done deals all over the Pacific, they now need to protect these deals from disaffected locals.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

The pacific islanders have a special, very special, AND tenuous way of life. China will change it forever, where China is guaranteed to win, whilst the damage will be offloaded to locals and their friends.

This is a catastrophe in the making, many times worse than Sri Lanka, but in Sri Lanka's case, the west stood aside so as not to upset China. History will repeat, because China has to keep growing its middle class and it can't do so any more from domestic exploitation.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

China offering "free trade agreements "

What do the Pacific Islands export ?

Access to fishing resources and future mining would be China's immediate aim....then comes the military connection through "development loans " owed and favours expected.

What a horror show if present day CCP China gets its claws into these islands and people.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

China offers loans to be paid back with high interest and severe penalties if they cant pay.

To begin, the interest of loans from Chinese banks may be high. That said they are lower than the interest of loans from World Bank. Can you name a bank that would offer these develop loans with lower interest?

Interest rates are higher with longer terms. Chinese loans are known for lower interest and longer durations. It's hard to beat their numbers. Nations and banks who can't offer more competitive rates resort to accusing the government officials of accepting bribes from China.

In addition, these loans are sometimes bailout loans. China has cooperated with the IMF in crafting rescue packages for Mongolia and Pakistan. And despite charges of “debt-trap diplomacy,” - a term used to describe IMF and Chinese banks, China has actually rejected requests to go deeper into debt from Venezuela and Zimbabwe. 

Chinese loans present a new option for countries that would rather not go to the IMF. The question that should be asked instead is why aren't these countries going to the IMF or other banks.

Furthermore, in cases where countries cannot pay, China has offered to lease the collateral and there are even cases of debt forgiveness. A March 2018 report released by the Center for Global Development said that between 2001 and 2017, China restructured or waived loan payments for 51 debtor nations without seizing state assets. The leasing of infrastructure would be the equivalent to a person taking out a mortgage to buy house, can't make the payments, then have the bank rent the house from you and so that you can use that rent to make the payments that you are originally unable to make.

In conclusion, a country will choose what is best for itself. Countries aren't weighed down by Chinese loans, like a hapless gambler who borrows from the Mafia and becomes Beijing’s puppet in danger of losing a limb. As Michael Ondaatje, one of Sri Lanka’s greatest chroniclers, once said, “In Sri Lanka a well-told lie is worth a thousand facts.” And the debt-trap narrative is just that: a lie, and a powerful one.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

@OssanAmerica

The Pacific island nations have been invaded and occupied and colonized by the USA, French, British /Australia , Germany, Japanese, Spanish /Portuguese and Dutch and used as a nuclear testing grounds and nuclear dumping grounds many- many times by the USA ,Australia and France.

How can that possibly compare to the Invasion and annexation of Tibet and the treatment of the Uighurs ?

Do the math !

What negative impacts has China had on the Pacific nations so far ? ? ?

Iam not defending China at all

Just stating a fact .

Furthermore lets not forget which countries started the industrial revolution and combustion engineering thats extremely detrimental to the very serious issues of climate change thats affecting the Pacific islands nations now.

Americans are determined to ignore what little the USA has brought to the world in comparison to the death and destruction and atrocities it has committed.

China is the mother of Asia has had contributed more to the world than the USA and its allies even could !

The USA democracy has failed and its a fake freedom of lies and deceit.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Action speak for itself. And the Pacific Islanders all have formally reply with a "thanks but no thanks" And to see the Chinese Foreign minister face was pure gold.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

A brazen attempt to expand its influence in a strategically critical area.

Controlling the shipping lanes in the South China Sea has been the goal from the start. Taiwan has been the shiny trinket to distract the general public.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

So, the US says there will be 'consequences' for any nation that defies the Imperium and gets closer to China.

Sounds an awful lot like an American threat to 'regime change' in the South Pacific the way it does (Or at least tries to) In South America

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Do the math !

Yes do the maths. Why is it that Western Samoa wished they were supported by USA as much as American Samoa?

BTW, you are comparing past acts with current acts, that's neither objective, nor relevant. I can only surmise you have a chip not on one but both shoulders. You post irrelevant comparison and manage to walk straight. While you're at it why not compare Mongolia of the past with Mongolia today?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

there will be 'consequences'

...based on China's track record, just look at Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Ecuador...

Heck, look at China's best friend, North Korea. If China can't help a neighbour and best friend to avoid starvation and economic catastrophe, how can it do so elsewhere?

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Action speak for itself. And the Pacific Islanders all have formally reply with a "thanks but no thanks" And to see the Chinese Foreign minister face was pure gold.

...but this is only the start. China now knows who has thevpower, who can/should be corrupted. The PI leaders should pass anti-corruption laws immediately so Chinese actors can be arrested, or warrant issued via Interpol. Just ask PNG politicians...

0 ( +1 / -1 )

One in six of world population should do more to protect the area from colonialist imperial countries.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Really tired of China and Russia

same same!!

1 ( +2 / -1 )

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