Wang Yi says China has no geopolitical intentions in Pacific islands relations
- The Chinese foreign minister denies Beijing is trying to deepen military engagement while in Tonga during marathon tour
- ‘Some people’ have tried to discredit China’s engagement in the region, he says in apparent reference to US and Australia
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China’s proposed security deal with Pacific islands falls short as Wang Yi tours region
“China has no intention of competing with anyone, let alone engaging in geopolitical competition, and has never established a so-called sphere of influence,” Wang said, according to a Chinese government readout.
He added that “some people” had attacked and tried to discredit China’s engagement in the region, in an apparent veiled reference to the US and Australia. Wang denied Beijing was trying to deepen its military engagement in the Pacific.
Tensions between China and US allies in the Pacific have increased with the signing of a security pact between Beijing and Solomon Islands. While the final wording of the deal has not been released, a leaked draft said it would allow Beijing to deploy security personnel to Solomon Islands in the wake of domestic unrest.
Wang’s 10-day tour of eight Pacific countries has been seen as evidence of Beijing’s growing ambitions in a region where the US and Australia are traditional partners. That outreach was dealt a setback on Monday when several nations rejected a sweeping trade and security deal proposed by Wang.
