What’s new: China is willing to work with Pacific island nations to build a community with a shared future, Chinese President Xi Jinping said Monday in a written address to a meeting of China-Pacific foreign ministers.
“No matter how the international situation may change, China will always be a good friend, good brother and good partner of Pacific island countries,” Xi said in the written address.
U.S. President Joe Biden concluded his first trip to East Asia shortly before the conference, visiting South Korea and Japan. He participated in a leader’s summit of the Quad nations, which include the U.S., Australia, Japan and India. The U.S. has been concerned about China’s naval presence in the region.
The background: China has pursued close relations with Pacific island nations, including Samoa, Tonga, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Niue and Vanuatu. Xi attended summits there in 2014 and 2018.
In April, China’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that Beijing signed a five-year security agreement with the Solomon Islands. The pact raised concerns among the U.S. and its allies about a Chinese naval presence in strategically important waters.
Contact reporter Denise Jia (huijuanjia@caixin.com) and editor Bob Simison (bob.simison@caixin.com)
Get our weekly free Must-Read newsletter.
