Pacific Islands fear fallout as US and China jostle for geopolitical influence in region
- The 14 smaller countries especially are concerned about division, debt burdens and being caught up in the growing rivalry between the two
- But analysts say they could also leverage the interests of external powers to drive their own security agenda, especially if they remain united
When Papua New Guinea politician Dame Meg Taylor ended her term as leader of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) in March, she sounded an alarm to the 18 nations and territories, including Australia and New Zealand, that are part of the political grouping.
Taylor added that she was concerned about how the geopolitics playing out in the region could be divisive and undermine their collective interests.
“And what is it that we’re going to owe them? Are we going to owe them places for military bases? Are we going to owe them places for their influence and control of the Pacific Ocean?”
Jonathan Pryke, head of the Pacific Islands Program at Australian think tank Lowy Institute, said Taylor’s views were shared by many regional leaders.
“Her points about geopolitical interference in the region are a position she, and indeed many Pacific Islanders, have felt for some time. This is not a new frustration … the colonial legacy in the Pacific casts a very long shadow,” he said, referring to Britain, France, Germany, Japan and the US extending their rule over the region until countries gained independence after World War II.
Henry Puna, the new PIF Secretary General, on Wednesday said the “geopolitical games at play in our region” should not be allowed to become a distraction.