ChinaPacific accord bid spurs queries

WELLINGTON: Questions are being raised about New Zealand’s position in the Pacific after reports of China seeking a regionwide agreement with 10 nations and the country’s foreign minister embarking on a tour of the region.

During the next week, Wang Yi will visit eight of the countries involved, seeking endorsement of the agreement, starting with the Solomon Islands then Kiribati, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Fiji.

New Australian foreign minister Penny Wong arrives in Fiji today, seeking to reassert her country’s position in the region, which has been under question since the Solomon IslandsChina security pact in March.

New Zealand Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta has no plans to follow suit, drawing criticism from Opposition MPs, although she has remotely met several Pacific nations and visited Fiji in March.

Her first and only discussion with her Solomon Islands counterpart since the security pact was this week on Zoom, which came a day after media highlighted her lack of communication.

The latest leaked agreement includes a draft communique and fiveyear action plan sent by Beijing to at least 10 Pacific Island nations seeking cooperation on matters as broad as biometrics and scholarships.

The documents have been circulated widely by Beijing to Pacific Island nations ahead of a foreign ministers’ meeting on Monday.

Speaking from Washington on her US tour, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said it was not for New Zealand to speak on behalf of other Pacific nations, but it was clear China was looking to draw in a ‘‘wide membership’’.

‘‘I see it as China is trying to increase their engagement with sovereign nations . . .

‘‘From New Zealand’s perspective, we see it as incredibly important that the response to it and those discussions actually come from within the Pacific as well.’’

The upcoming Pacific Island Forum leaders meeting would be important as an opportunity for the Pacific to canvass its view on the increasing presence of China, Ms Ardern said.

National Party foreign affairs spokesman Gerry Brownlee said China proposing such an extensive agreement showed competition in the region was ‘‘escalating’’.

‘‘And it’s not clear New Zealand is part of the dialogue on meeting the needs of Pacific Island countries.’’

The fact some Pacific nations were considering the deal raised questions about the strength of the relationship, he said.

‘‘This new agreement may be a relationship catastrophe for New Zealand and the rest of our Pacific neighbours,’’ Mr Brownlee said.

‘‘The minister needs to urgently explain what she and this Government will do to ensure New Zealand’s long commitment to the Pacific is not swept aside under her watch.’’

Act New Zealand foreign affairs spokeswoman Brooke van Velden said the potential deal was ‘‘hugely concerning’’.

‘‘Unfortunately, the Government has not taken the threat to Pacific security seriously.

‘‘We are a small nation, but we should be a leading democracy in the region.’’

Ms Mahuta declined a request for an interview.