Preparatory meeting for the Pacific Islands Summit confirms the importance of maintaining international order

A preparatory meeting for the Pacific Islands Summit to be held in Tokyo this summer was held in Fiji, and the participants confirmed the importance of firmly maintaining a rules-based international order.

The Pacific Island Summit is an international conference held once every three years, inviting the leaders of 18 countries and regions in the South Pacific to Japan.The 10th meeting will be held in July this year in Tokyo. It will be opened.

Prior to this, a preparatory meeting was held in Fiji on the 12th, attended by Japanese Foreign Minister Kamikawa and foreign ministers from other countries.

At the beginning of the meeting, Minister Kamikawa stated, ``Regional unity is needed now more than ever. I would like to contribute to the realization of a strong, sustainable, and stable region.''

The chairman's summary released after the meeting emphasized the importance of working together to tackle common challenges such as climate change, upholding the rules-based international order, and avoiding unilateral changes to the status quo through force and coercion. We have confirmed that we strongly oppose the attempt.

China is increasing its influence over island countries in the South Pacific through massive aid for infrastructure development, etc., and the Japanese government hopes to strengthen cooperation by promoting cooperation on common issues such as climate change.

Foreign Minister Kamikawa: “Unwavering efforts to achieve results”

After attending a series of meetings, Minister Kamikawa told reporters, ``In order to strengthen our relationships with Pacific countries in the future, we will continue to work on issues centered on climate change and oceans, as well as efforts in the field of human resource development.'' It is important that we work together."

Regarding the summit to be held in July this year, he said, ``In order for it to be a success, I would like to make unwavering efforts to achieve results while exchanging information on the various opinions and needs I obtained through this visit.'' said.

Preparatory meeting Foreign ministers participate from only six countries

In addition to Japan's Foreign Minister Kamikawa, foreign ministers from 18 countries and regions in the South Pacific were scheduled to participate in this preparatory meeting.

However, the foreign ministers of only six countries other than Japan actually participated, including Papua New Guinea, Palau, and Micronesia, and the Solomon Islands, which broke off diplomatic relations with Taiwan and established diplomatic relations with China in 2019, had a vice minister of foreign affairs, and Kiribati had a local ambassador. participated.

Furthermore, Nauru, which announced in January that it would sever diplomatic ties with Taiwan immediately after Taiwan's presidential election, has only its deputy foreign minister participating.

It is not clear why the foreign ministers of each country did not participate, but the Solomon Islands' foreign minister told NHK that ``I was not feeling well this week, so I decided not to participate.'' I explained the reason why.

Other countries have also complained that coordination with other international conferences did not go well or that flights were canceled due to bad weather, but as more and more countries place importance on their relationship with China, Compared to the previous meeting, the number of foreign minister-level participants was significantly reduced.

Fiji China's presence stands out

Since the change of government in Fiji last year, although the country has distanced itself from China in terms of security, China continues to have a prominent presence in areas such as infrastructure development and investment.

In Suva, the capital, roads and bridges near the port where large cargo ships and passenger ships dock are being built with Chinese aid, and a stone monument has been erected that reads ``China-Fiji Friendship Bridge.''

In addition, a Chinese-funded hotel in the center of Suva has raised flags celebrating the Lunar New Year and is crowded with many Chinese tourists.In addition, the tallest 28-story building is under construction with Chinese capital, and when it is completed. It is said that there will be residences and shops.

A woman in her 30s living in Suva welcomed the project, saying, ``China has contributed greatly to the modernization of Fiji, such as by building roads.I am grateful.''

A man in his 50s also said, ``China brings jobs to the local area and there are no problems.They are helping us economically.''

China has been Fiji's second largest donor after Australia for the past 10 years, up to 2021, and is also increasing its influence in other Pacific island countries through massive aid in areas such as infrastructure development.

The reason behind China's efforts to strengthen relations with the island nation appears to be that it wants to hold on to the strategically important location, which is located between Hawaii and Australia in the United States.

Papua New Guinea's Foreign Minister Tkachenko, who attended the meeting, said that in terms of security, the country places emphasis on its relationship with Australia and other countries, adding, ``China plays a major role in stabilizing our economy and trade. "The relationship with them is very important," he said.

Fiji Chinese New Year event also attended by dignitaries

Fiji has a large population of second- and third-generation Chinese and Chinese immigrants.

In the capital Suva, many events are being held in conjunction with the Chinese New Year since the beginning of February, and on the 11th, children at a Chinese school in the city center performed Chinese lion dances and dances.

Fiji's Deputy Prime Minister Kamikamiza also visited the venue, which attracted around 500 people, demonstrating the importance the Fijian government places on its relationship with the Chinese community.

A second-generation immigrant man who attended the event said, ``I was born in Fiji 70 years ago.I feel that many Chinese people have come to Fiji in the past 20 years.China was once weak.'' However, we now have a lot to offer, including culturally."

In addition, on the night of the 11th, a grand Chinese New Year celebration event was held at the same hotel as the dinner party hosted by Japan, inviting the foreign ministers of the island countries.The president of Fiji was also in attendance, and the venue was held to the tune of taiko drums and gong. They enjoyed the spinning dragon dance.