Expert: China Will Help South Pacific Nations Better Cope with Global Changes and Challenges
China has invited foreign ministers from South Pacific nations to hold a two-day meeting in Xiamen. This is a regular consultation mechanism aimed at formulating political and economic cooperation agendas.
The participants include representatives from 11 countries in the region. US tariffs on Oceanian countries will take effect in July. For example, Papua New Guinea and Tonga will face a 10% basic tariff on exports to the US. Meanwhile, Vanuatu, Nauru, and Fiji will be subject to tariffs of 22%, 30%, and 32%, respectively. Undoubtedly, America's protectionist trade measures will further damage its prestige in the South Pacific nations.
Clearly, these countries will seek ways to escape their predicaments during talks with China. This is also a major feature of the Xiamen Foreign Ministers' Dialogue. Artemy Kalin, an expert at the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences' Southeast Asia, Australia, and Oceania Research Center, believes that China is likely to urge Oceanian countries to follow ASEAN's lead in jointly resisting US tariff pressures and promise greater market openness and cooperation opportunities to China.
Expert Artemy Kalin said: "Such ministerial-level meetings may be one of the most important activities outside the region for South Pacific nations. China can offer them much that Australia and the US cannot because, for Australia and the US, Oceania is mainly a platform for projecting power. For South Pacific nations, China, unlike the US, is a global stabilizing safe haven, a country that is easy to understand, predictable, and committed to mutually beneficial cooperation. China is one of the sources of humanitarian aid in Oceania, and the development of local countries, including infrastructure construction and logistics transportation, depends on cooperation with China. During the talks, China will not interfere with how South Pacific nations operate. Instead, it will propose some specific practical measures to promote common economic development and possible humanitarian projects. It is important for China's partners to discuss their affairs with major regional players in the face of US tariff pressures. For them, this is also an opportunity to showcase themselves as part of Greater Asia. China intends to expand its influence in the region. But not in the military field; rather, as a partner that can provide real tools and benefits for Oceania. China is a country willing to help them amplify their voice, so they naturally show great interest in this."
Original Source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1833277209574600/
Disclaimer: The article solely represents the author's views.