On The Wind...

China leans on Fiji, eyes the Cooks, and flexes its reach across the Pacific

China’s throwing its weight around again in the Pacific, Fiji’s swallowing hard, the Cooks are playing host to a very curious Chinese survey ship, and Vanuatu is bulldozing a prison full of ghosts. It’s been a busy week on the water.

Chinese research ship Da Yang Hao in Rarotonga . PicC ook Islands Seabed Minerals ‘Authority.

China shovelling the Pacific

China’s drive to dominate the South Pacific is once again on full display.

This round features a sharp rebuke to Fiji over a Taiwan encounter and, at the same time, the quiet arrival of one of Beijing’s top deep-sea research vessels in the Cook Islands. Spoiler: it’s not there to admire the lagoon.

Last Thursday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning let rip after a Fijian diplomat joined a delegation from two of Taiwan’s diplomatic allies and met senior Taiwanese officials, including Vice-President Hsiao Bi-khim. Beijing said it had delivered “solemn representations” to Suva and warned:

“China firmly opposes any form of official interactions between China’s Taiwan region and countries having diplomatic ties with China. The visit to Taiwan by certain Fijian officials seriously violates Fiji’s political commitment to the one-China principle. The despicable actions of the Taiwan regime will get nowhere.”

In this blog:

Vanuatu demolishes ill-famed prison

Anthony Perez photographs beauty

Samoa PM meets Aotearoa PM - in NZ

Vanuatu launches inquiry into patrol boat grounding

Diplomatic murder on Niue recalled

Taiwan’s presidential office said Fiji’s UN Representative Filipo Tarakinikini met Hsiao as part of a delegation of UN ambassadors, including those from Taiwan’s allies, the Marshall Islands and Paraguay. Hsiao thanked the diplomats for their “longstanding support and assistance,” noting their efforts had helped Taiwan “play a meaningful role in the international system.” Tarakinikini also met Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung, according to Taiwan’s foreign ministry.

After the blast from Beijing Fiji quickly surrendered, issuing a statement reaffirming its commitment to a One China policy:

“This follows recent media reports concerning a senior Fijian diplomat’s visit to Taiwan. The Ministry is taking appropriate steps to address the matter amicably.”