On May 30, 2022, China's Foreign Minister is on an eight-day visit to 10 Pacific Island Countries (PICs), co-hosting the Second China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers Meeting with Fiji.China's attempt to push through a comprehensive framework agreement, the draught of which had been leaked earlier, failed to achieve support among the PICs during the meeting.While this has sparked regional fears about China's expanding footprint in the Pacific islands, it has also been interpreted as a sign of China's regional constraints.
Strategic importance of pacific island region
The Pacific Island Countries are a group of 14 countries located primarily in the Pacific Ocean's tropical zone between Asia, Australia, and the Americas.Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu are among them.Micronesia, Melanesia, and Polynesia are the three separate parts of the islands based on physical and human geography.The islands have a modest land area and are dispersed across the Pacific Ocean's enormous equatorial sweep.
As a result, while being among the world's smallest and least inhabited countries, they have some of the world's largest Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs). Large EEZs have a lot of economic potential because of the abundance of fisheries, energy, minerals, and other marine resources that can be found there.As a result, they prefer the term "Big Ocean States" rather than "Small Island States." In fact, Kiribati and the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), both PICs, have greater EEZs than India.
What and how does China want to gain from the PICs?
In contrast to Western powers, China has no specific historical ties to the PICs.As a result, its interest in PICs is relatively new, and it is related to China's rise in recent decades.The PICs are along the logical path of China's maritime interests and naval force buildup.They are located beyond China's 'Initial Island Chain,' which marks the country's first maritime expansion boundary.The PICs are strategically positioned in China's 'Far Seas,' control of which will enable China to develop an efficient Blue Water capable Navy, which is a prerequisite for becoming a superpower.
The need to influence the PICs has become even more essential for China at a time when the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue has developed as a major force in the Indo-Pacific vis-à-vis China.Aside from the PICs' huge marine riches, the Taiwan factor plays a significant role in China's Pacific strategy.China, which regards Taiwan as a separatist province, is preparing for what appears to be an impending military assault.In this perspective, it is critical to end Western dominance of Pacific island chains, which could obstruct reunification.By luring the PICs away from the West and Taiwan, China will have an easier time achieving its goal of reunification.
Conclusion:
The United States and Australia, which have traditionally controlled regional dynamics, have been more cautious as China's diplomacy towards the Pacific Islands has intensified.Since the China-Solomon Islands agreement, the US has begun to reconsider its diplomatic priorities in the region.The United States' role in rallying opposition to China's planned accord cannot be ruled out, as the FSM is the only country that recognises China while also being a member of the Compact of Free Association with the United States.Meanwhile, Australia has dispatched its new Foreign Secretary to the islands in the hopes of reviving ties, promising priority and help to the PICs.
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