Commentary
The Pacific Islands agree to increased U.S. engagement and an Australian security agreement, pushing back against communist China’s influence.
“As a Pacific nation, the United States has a clear and abiding interest in partnering with its Pacific neighbors to advance a shared agenda: addressing the climate crisis, maintaining peaceful waterways and upholding freedom of navigation, promoting development and economic growth,” reads a White House
statement delivered during the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders Meeting in Nuku'alofa, Tonga.
Beijing has increasingly
sought security partnerships with Pacific Island nations as part of its strategy to expand its influence in the Indo-Pacific. This push aims to control critical maritime routes, access resources, and gain geopolitical leverage against Western powers, particularly the United States. The Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP’s) efforts, gaining momentum
since the late 2010s, focus on
signing agreements that
enable police training, military exchanges, and infrastructure development under the guise of cooperation.
In 2022, Beijing proposed a sweeping
security and economic pact with 10 Pacific Island nations, known as the China-Pacific Island Countries Common Development Vision. The plan included cooperation on law enforcement, cybersecurity, and marine surveillance. However, some Pacific leaders resisted, citing concerns about sovereignty and deeper ties with Beijing. Despite this,
the Solomon Islands and
Kiribati signed bilateral agreements involving Chinese security forces in local law enforcement and infrastructure projects. These moves have raised alarms in Australia, New Zealand, and the United States, which see China’s actions as a direct challenge to their regional influence and stability.
The U.S.-Pacific Islands Partnership took center stage at the
53rd Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders Meeting on Aug. 26–30 in Tonga’s capital. The forum brought together Pacific leaders and U.S. representatives to strengthen ties and address regional challenges. The meeting aimed to bolster U.S.–Pacific Island relations by enhancing security and economic development cooperation. With growing concerns over CCP influence, Washington sought to reaffirm its commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, offering Pacific nations alternatives to Chinese overtures.
Key issues at the forum included climate change, maritime security, and sustainable development. The United States pledged millions to enhance climate resilience and disaster preparedness. A significant outcome was the endorsement of Pacific Quality Infrastructure principles, which aim to maximize local benefits and integrate social and environmental considerations.
The Pacific Island nations also backed a regional security plan in collaboration with Australia, focusing on traditional and non-traditional security challenges. Central to this plan is the creation of a multi-country policing force to be deployed during major events or crises. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described it as a “
Pacific-led initiative“ that underscores the region’s collective commitment to self-reliance in security. The plan includes establishing up to four police training centers in the Pacific
, forming multi-country police units, and providing a ready pool of trained officers for various regional needs. Initially, the program will
consist of 200 officers from different nations trained in disaster and emergency relief.
To support this initiative, the Australian government has committed
approximately $400 million in funding over five years, covering infrastructure costs and the establishment of a police development and coordination hub in Brisbane. This hub will provide Pacific police officers with access to Australian Federal Police facilities for training and deployment preparation.
The proposal, however, faced last-minute concerns from some Pacific island nations, particularly Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands, which already have policing agreements with Beijing. Police cadres and trainers from China regularly rotate through both countries, providing training and delivering aid such as new police vehicles and equipment. Vanuatu’s prime minister, Charlot Salwai, expressed concern that the plan might prioritize Western strategic interests over the needs of Pacific nations. Salwai emphasized the importance of tailoring the initiative to regional purposes rather than using it as a tool for geopolitical exclusion, implicitly referencing concerns about sidelining China. Solomon Islands’ diplomatic official, Colin Beck, indicated that he would need to return to his country and discuss the matter with the government before any agreement could be signed.
The PIF follows just weeks after the 10th
Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM 10) in Tokyo, where Japan signed
expanded security, trade, and aid agreements with regional leaders. These initiatives are particularly significant, given China’s expanding role in the Pacific, where it has been a major infrastructure lender and is increasingly seeking influence in military and policing matters.
Australia’s security plan aims to reduce the reliance of Pacific Island nations on China for policing and security, a concern heightened by China’s existing police presence in countries like the Solomon Islands and Kiribati. The support from Pacific leaders for this plan highlights a preference for regional solutions prioritizing Pacific sovereignty and stability, reinforcing the broader strategy of maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific in the face of growing CCP influence.
Views expressed in this article are opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
