Pacific tensions: New Zealand leaders call for less ‘patronising’ approach to island nations
- Pacific countries can make their own decisions about engaging with China, and it is inappropriate to dictate to them, Jacinda Ardern says
- Beijing reportedly sought a Pacific agreement with 10 nations, which has intensified geopolitical debate about the influence major powers have in the region
Pacific countries should not be patronised and can make their own decisions about engaging with China, Jacinda Ardern says. The Prime Minister made the comments after weeks of rising tensions over China’s overtures in the region, and ahead of a planned visit from Samoa’s PM.
“I feel like some of the commentary we’ve seen does a disservice to the Pacific,” Ardern said. “These are sovereign nations who have had relationships with China that span many years, as New Zealand does.”
Ardern said the idea island nations were unable to determine their own relationships with China and should be dictated to was inappropriate.
The PM will fly to Australia on Thursday to meet with new Australian PM Anthony Albanese and said the Pacific Islands Forum will be among discussion topics.
Defence Minister Peeni Henare said he was prioritising relationships with Pacific nations. “My first trip once the borders came down was to the Pacific, was to Fiji.” He said he’d met with Pacific Defence Minister counterparts several times recently.
Henare will leave for Singapore tomorrow to attend a regional defence and security forum called the Shangri-La Dialogue. “My trip to Singapore has already locked in engagements with a number of the Pacific nations.”
