The heads of three Pacific countries–Papua New Guinea (PNG), Vanuatu, and Solomon Islands–have declined to attend this year’s Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) meeting.
The decision comes as leaders of the countries continue building ties with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which has significantly expanded its footprint in the region in recent years.
The three leaders will instead send ministers to PIF, which is held in Rarotonga, Cook Islands, from Nov.6 to 10, 2023.
Papua New Guinea Deputy Prime Minister John Rosso will represent his country, while Climate Change Minister Ralph Regenvanu will lead Vanuatu’s delegation.
Neither country has explained why their prime ministers are absent.
Meanwhile, the Solomon Island’s government said Foreign Minister Jeremiah Manele would attend the event on behalf of Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare as he was “tied down with duties as Minister for Pacific Games” and Parliament.
The Games will be held in Honiara, Solomon Islands, between Nov. 19 and Dec. 2, 2023.
The Pacific Islands Forum is an international organisation that promotes cooperation among 18 Oceania countries and territories.
It was a key plank of the U.S. Biden administration and Albanese Labor government to build relations with Pacific governments and to also act as a bulwark against Beijing’s ambitions in the region.
CCP’s Growing Influence in Three Countries
China is PNG’s second-largest trading partner after Australia and a major source of investment.In recent years, Chinese companies have invested heavily in PNG’s natural resources sector and infrastructure projects while providing significant development assistance to PNG in the form of grants, loans, and technical assistance.
Under the CCP’s influence, PNG has openly supported many international policies introduced by Beijing, including the One China policy and the Belt and Road Initiative.
Vanuatu, whose largest overseas creditor is China, has also been wooed by the CCP’s economic benefits.
In 2022, his-then government announced support for the One China policy.
There were allegations that members of the national government received bribes from the CCP to force the former leader out of his position.