Australia warns China over its risinginfluence in South Pacific
THE tiny Pacific nation of Tuvalu, one of the smallest countries in the world, has become an unintended pawn in a diplomatic war between China and Australia.
In a surprising announcement this week, Australia said it plans to establish an embassy on the atoll’s capital, Funafuti, joining the island’s only other high commission, Taiwan. Explaining the decision, Julie Bishop, Australia’s foreign minister, said Tuvalu was “an important partner in the Pacific”. But observers believe the move is motivated by anxiety about China’s growing role in the waters of the South Pacific.
Graeme Smith, of the Australian National University, said: “You have to wonder what the diplomats will do.”
A Commonwealth nation which only gained independence from Britain in 1978, Tuvalu has a population of 11,000 across its nine atolls. Funafuti island is just 60ft wide in parts.
But Australia has become concerned that China’s interests in the South Pacific could pose a security threat. It was reported that China has approached Vanuatu about establishing a military presence, something it denies.
Malcolm Turnbull, Australia’s prime minister, said: “We view with great concern the establishment of any foreign military bases in those Pacific island countries and our neighbours.”
Britain and New Zealand appear to share the concerns. The UK is to send diplomats to Vanuatu, Samoa and Tonga. Winston Peters, New Zealand’s foreign minister, warned: “If we’re not there, some other influence will be.”