Australia alarmed over China's security ambitions in the South Pacific | DW News

An attempt by China to secure a sweeping security and trade deal with ten South Pacific islands remains elusive.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi was hoping to sign such a pact during a stop in Fiji, part of his diplomatic tour of the region. But Wang came away from a virtual meeting with his South Pacific counterparts without a deal. He urged them not to be too anxious about his country's aims in the region and promised to clear the air.

But the lead up to that commitment saw a charm offensive to get the Pacific nations on board. One that set alarm bells ringing in Canberra, but also in some Pacific islands as well.

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[whatyousaid]

Australia, New Zealand, US treated these islands like trash for past 70 yrs. Suddenly love them lol

[tomte]

China is probably up to no good but Australia complaining they are in "their backyard" when some of those islands are 5000+ km away is ridiculous. Its like Iceland calling Saudi Arabia its backyard..

[aykunoromer]

Pacific nations are free to chose their own path, isn't that what westerners keep repeating about ukraine

[ornachia]

Australia : Oh No, China coming to our backyard.
Pacific Country : We are country, not your backyard!!

[megafauna]

Ten years of conservative govt. in Australia have ignored the 'Pacific Family' and their concerns about climate change, aid cuts and immigration. The former Australian LNP govt. were seen as neo colonial bullies.

[headhunterkonyak]

Australia worries about china near, America worries about china and Russia near it but Russia and China should not worry about NATO having bases near them 😂😂

[misanthropyunhinged]

i'm alarmed over white supremacist state of australia

[lindagonzalez]

Australia alarmed 😂 they should have military bases surrounding them like what the US does to Russia and China 😂

[tianxu]

When Europe is bombing, Africa is the fastest growing continent. Whatever west say about debt trap or whatever traps Chinese set up.
What Europe did to Africa? What US did to South pacific nations? Nuclear test?

[pt]

These islands had been ignored by US and Australia for decades. Now with China’s move, they are getting a lot more attention and offers from both sides. More development and progress for them and their people hopefully. 👍

[hamish]

The Chinese want the fish in the ocean and the minerals underneath.
There will be a fleet of giant trawlers and warships to protect them.
The fish will go, no more local fishing boats, they are already building ports and docks.

[trutharrow]

Golden hypocrisy. So chinese police without firearms 2000 kilometers away from Australia is not acceptable but nato weapons in russia's doorstep is okay?

[royj]

Five eyes: world countries are free to choose whoever they want to work with, as long as we approve that.

[UaYXxB]

'Security interests'... code for hegemony.

[leecheelek]

After so many decades of being treated as just being Anglo Saxon's Outposts, there is nothing wrong if some islanders wishes something more in their lives and livelihood than just forever being coconut pluckers, fishermen or selling souvenirs to foreign tourists. And if the Anglo Saxons can't provide it, then why not let others who can help improve their lives? And it doesn't have to be just China.

[soraya.a]

2000 KM has become Australia's backyard, instead of wondering what brought you to this continent 🤠

[gunterbraunkinder]

A counter BID by Australian government?
"You neglect our concerns, and now you have something to say?" - "Come and have your BID OZ!"

[firstavenger]

US do this all the time, why aren't we alarmed then???

[Zeusselll]

Australia alarmed over China doing what the US did with Australia

[jukio]

Yeah, lets just ignore all the 750 US military bases around the world....