HONIARA (Solomon Islands): Pacific Island leaders issued a call for an “ocean of peace” yesterday, urging respect for their sovereignty at a summit clouded by China’s alleged meddling and great power competition in the strategically vital region.
After a day of largely closed-door talks in the Solomon Islands capital of Honiara, the 18 Pacific Islands Forum leaders endorsed a Fiji-backed push for a statement proclaiming the region’s cohesion and its desire for peace and climate action.
A heavy police presence guarded the leaders, who met in the Friendship Hall, near a 10,000-seat National Stadium built and financed by the Chinese government. Once pot-holed roads had been repaired ahead of the gathering.
“The ‘ocean of peace’ declaration is a reclamation of our sovereignty and our shared destiny,” said Jeremiah Manele, prime minister of Solomon Islands — host of this year’s gathering.
“It is a solemn vow that our seas, air and lands will never again be drawn into the vortex of great power rivalry,” he said.
Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka said the declaration “will demonstrate that our region is free from militarisation”.
“Emerging trends and patterns of diluting the global rule-based order is of utmost concern for small states like us,” he said.
Alongside member states — including key players Australia and New Zealand — gatherings of the Pacific Islands Forum are typically attended by dozens more countries as observers or dialogue partners.
But the Solomon Islands has barred most of those partners from attending, sparking accusations that Honiara worked at Beijing’s behest to exclude long-time participant Taiwan.
The move prompted concern among fellow Pacific nations, of which three — Marshall Islands, Palau and Tuvalu — still recognise Taipei.
On Tuesday, Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung said Taipei regretted its exclusion but looked forward to next year, when Palau hosts the forum.
And speaking to AFP after the declaration, Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr said there had “absolutely” been outside meddling in the summit.
China counts the Solomon Islands among its closest partners and backers in the South Pacific and the two signed a secretive security pact in 2022.
Australia has sought to shore up links across the region to counter China’s growing presence.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was in neighbouring Vanuatu on Tuesday to discuss a deal — known as the Nakamal Agreement — deepening Canberra’s links to the Pacific nation.
But Vanuatu Prime Minister Jotham Napat said there were concerns that the wording of the deal would limit his country’s ability to access funds for “critical infrastructure” from other nations. – AFP
