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Maria Siow

There is a Chinese foreign policy conundrum which I am trying to wrap my head around.
When Western powers such as the United States and Australia try to influence smaller countries, these less powerful nations are known as “pawns”.
But when China does the same, these same countries are known to be showcasing independence and exercising their sovereign judgment.
During Wang Yi’s visit through the Pacific Island region over the past week, the Chinese foreign minister said that countries have the right to choose instead of becoming “pawns” for others.
Avoiding foreign media will not help China’s international image
Echoing him, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said Pacific Island states are not “pawns” in geopolitical confrontations.
Last month, the Chinese foreign minister said that Washington’s Indo-Pacific Strategy is aimed at containing China and turning Asia-Pacific countries into “pawns” of the US.
Earlier in the year, China urged Lithuania not to act as a “pawn” for anti-China forces.
China’s nationalistic tabloid The Global Times said in February that developmental funds provided by the US to Nepal is a colonialist tool that will turn the Himalayan country into Washington’s new geopolitical “pawn”.
Has Australia’s Penny Wong succeeded in Pacific ‘damage control’ mission?
Let’s face it, what China does in the region is no different from what other powers have traditionally tried to do, that is, exert influence, or offer benefits in return for favours.
Beijing may couch its intentions using terms such as “win-win development” or the “Belt and Road Initiative”.
But the favours are expected to be repaid, whether in offering diplomatic support for China at the United Nations or ensuring markets for Chinese imports and exports, among others.
So why are these nations not “pawns’’ during their interactions with China? Are Beijing’s intentions necessarily more noble than other powers?
To be sure, many of these smaller countries have expressed concerns that they would become “pawns” amid the superpower competition but it is their prerogative to say so given the dilemma that they find themselves in.


But playing the balancing game also comes with benefits ranging from developmental aid, security guarantees, infrastructure development or climate change help.
By calling another smaller, invariably weaker country a “pawn”, China – as an influential power – is being judgemental and questioning another country’s ability in exercising its own independent judgment.
Apart from suggesting the country is unable to determine its national interests, China’s use of the word “pawn” also comes across as an admonishment that the country does not have the wisdom to realise it is being used, and hence has to be reminded.
As the rejection of the comprehensive Chinese deal in the Pacific Islands this week has shown, countries act in their own best interests and are adept at shaping the needs of potential donors to suit their own interests.
They are not innocent “pawns” and should not be thought of, and least of all, described as such.


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Who are the pawns in the China-US race to influence the Pacific? It depends who you ask

China, Australia and the US have all been making a push to increase their influence in Solomon islands, and the greater the strategic Pacific island region. Photo: AP

China-Australia relations: Canberra’s new top diplomat Penny Wong part of ‘damage control’ mission to woo Pacific nations and fix harm caused by Scott Morrison

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Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Photo: Kyodo

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (R) with Tongan Foreign Minister Fekitamoeloa Katoa ‘Utoikamanu, in Tonga on Tuesday. Photo: Xinhua

Australia’s new Foreign Minister Penny Wong (left) is welcomed by Henry Puna from the Pacific Islands Forum during her visit to Fiji last week. Photo: via AP

An aerial view of a strip of land in Tuvalu, in the South Pacific, in 2019. The low-lying island nation has been classified as extremely vulnerable to climate change. Photo: Getty Images

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi waves to dancers in Vanuatu on Wednesday as he continued his island-hopping tour two days after failing to sign a deal with 10 South Pacific nations. Photo: Video still via AP

What’s the difference between Indo Pacific and Asia-Pacific? Regional control for the US or China

A US flag flutters in front of a portrait of the late Chinese Chairman Mao Zedong during a visit by US President Donald Trump to Beijing, China, in 2017. Photo: Reuters

(190623) -- BANGKOK, June 23, 2019 (Xinhua) -- ASEAN leaders pose for a group photo during the opening ceremony of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Bangkok, Thailand, June 23, 2019. The opening ceremony of the 34th ASEAN Summit was held in Bangkok on Sunday. (Xinhua/Rachen Sageamsak)

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Illustration: Craig Stephens

China-West rivalry hits the Pacific as Wang Yi comes calling with security deals

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi with Samoan Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa in Apia, capital of the island nation. Photo: AFP

 “We believe in transparency, we believe in true partnerships,” Penny Wong told the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat. Photo: AP 

China responds to Pacific island rejection with paper on ‘mutual respect and common development’

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi leaves after a joint press conference with Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama in Fiji’s capital city Suva. Photo: AFP

King Tupou of Tonga meets Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the Royal Palace on Tuesday. Photo: AFP

This Week in Asia

Opinion


When Western powers such as the United States and Australia try to influence smaller countries, these less powerful nations are described as ‘pawns’ by Beijing
But when China does the same, Beijing says these same countries are showcasing independence and exercising their sovereign judgment



Tensions between China and US allies in the Pacific have increased with the signing of a security pact between Beijing and Solomon Islands, that many critics believe could deepen China’s military engagement in the region.


Diplomacy

Pacific nations

US-China relations: the Asian angle

Australia

Expresses the views, ideas and conclusions of the author. (Eg. Enough of Crazy Rich Asians, think of crazy poor Hongkongers.)


Column

As I see it

As I see it | Who are the pawns in the China-US race to influence the Pacific? It depends who you ask

When Western powers such as the United States and Australia try to influence smaller countries, these less powerful nations are described as ‘pawns’ by Beijing But when China does the same, Beijing says these same countries are showcasing independence and exercising their sovereign judgment

When Western powers such as the United States and Australia try to influence smaller countries, these less powerful nations are described as ‘pawns’ by Beijing

But when China does the same, Beijing says these same countries are showcasing independence and exercising their sovereign judgment