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Two Chinese officials were found secretly attending a speech to the Pacific Islands Forum by US Vice President Kamala Harris.
Officials were sitting with a media delegation before reporters noticed them from the Guardian newspaper, which admitted the two men.
A man shook his head when asked whether they represented the Xinhua News Agency or the Chinese embassy.
Reporters notified Fijian police, who excluded the two men from the event.
Later, it was revealed at the Chinese Embassy in Fiji that one was a military attaché and the other was a military attaché.
Countries other than members of the Pacific Islands Forum are usually not invited to attend the event. In fact, Vice President Harris’ speech to the forum was a rare exception.
U.S. raises Pacific ante
The announcement of Harris’ diplomatic offensive is seen as an attempt to regain influence over the Pacific Ocean. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and democracies are trapped in an ongoing diplomatic tug of war around the region.
Going forward, the Byden administration will send Peace Corps to the region, establish embassies in Kiribati and Tonga, appoint the first US envoy to the forum, and consider reestablishing the Pacific Regional Mission of the US International Development Agency. With natural disasters and humanitarian aid.
“The history and future of the Pacific Islands and the United States are inextricably linked. We have a historic bond for generations,” she said in her speech.
“In recent years, we recognize that the Pacific Islands may not have the diplomatic interests and support you deserve.
“Today I am here to tell you that I am going to change it directly to you.”
Australian and New Zealand leaders also attended.
“Listen” to Pacific leaders and their concerns
Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese promised to bring “positive energy” to the event, stimulating the government’s openness to “listen” to Pacific concerns about climate change.
“I talked about treating the country with respect, which means not only speaking but also listening,” he told reporters on July 13. Then you can learn from each other. “
A few days ago, Defense Minister Richard Mars said Pacific leaders were more interested in climate change than China.
“It’s clear that the Pacific says geopolitical competition is less of a concern to them than the threat of rising sea levels, economic instability and cross-border crime. Australia respects and understands this position. And we are listening, “he told the Institute for Strategic International Affairs in Washington, DC.
Invest in climate change movements
Still, Eric Lou, a retired professor of political communication and an expert in affirmative action, said that leaders in developing countries could simply take advantage of Western sentiment about climate change and guilt about colonialism. I warned that there was sex.
“Unfortunately, the left has spread this anti-colonial myth, making it almost impossible to wisely discuss the era of imperialism,” he wrote in The Epoch Times.
“During the Cold War, corrupt politicians in weak developing countries from the Pacific to Africa, and from Latin America to Asia became rich in opposition to each other,” he said in connection with the ongoing geopolitical competition. I wrote in another article. Between a democracy and Beijing.
In recent months, the competition has intensified with the signing of a security agreement between the Solomon Islands and Beijing that could open the door to a CCP to station troops, weapons and even naval vessels in the region. increase.
On July 14, Prime Minister Albanese declared that he was “very confident” that Solomon Islands Prime Minister Anthony Albanese would not allow it.
“I sat with him for dinner last night. One of the things we have to do is to build a personal relationship with our friends in Australia and the Pacific,” he told Channel Nine. rice field.
“We need to listen to them and be prepared to support their growth, but as my government does, advocate action on the issues they are concerned about. Please be ready to do it. “
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Daniel Y. Teng is based in Sydney. He focuses on national politics, including federal politics, COVID-19 response, and relations between Australia and China. Do you have a hint? Contact him at [email protected].
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