ANI
25 Nov 2021, 11:25 GMT+10
Tarawa [Kiribati], November 25 (ANI): China, which wishes to expand its maritime and economic profile has started to court the Pacific island nations.
According to the Singapore Post, Kiribati a Micronesian country is discussing opening up its largest marine reserves to commercial fishing which may serve a dual purpose like a naval base for the Chinese as well.
Pacific country's President Taneti Maamau, decided to open up the marine reserves to commercial fishing to China which could be exploited for dual purposes.
However, the Kiribati government said the move will fetch over USD 200 million in cash for Kiribati.
As per the Singapore Post, China is emerging as a major diplomatic and economic partner of Pacific island countries especially during the COVID-19 pandemic as the small countries are struggling with their economies.
Vanuatu which lies 2000 km away from Australia though denied that it was allowing China to develop a military base on its soil.
On the other hand, as reported by the Asia and the Pacific Policy Society, there is a difference between mirage and reality. In China's case, there is no mirage but only reality. Between 2006 and 2019, as per the Australian think tank, the PLA delegation paid 24 visits to the Pacific island countries.
In this background, how the US-led Quad or AUKUS counter challenges thrown by China will have to be closely watched.
The Pacific islands region is dominated by the ever-increasing one up among the countries constituting Micronesia, Melanesia and Polynesia.
China has started to court the above countries in an effort to expand its diplomatic and military profile in the Pacific Islands.
Earlier, the prospects of a Chinese-financed major wharf on Vanuatu's Santo Island being converted into a "dual-use" facility was curtailed with active pressure from both Australia and the US.
It's noted that Vanuatu is a Melanesian country and China funds the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) based in Suva, Fiji.
In an effort to develop it's a communication system in the region, China funded the undersea fiberoptic system, which would have originated in Guam, which was "designed to improve the communications in the island nations of Nauru, Kiribati and Federated States of Micronesia which was cancelled with pressure from the United States citing security concerns, reported Singapore Post.
China's effort to fund the undersea cable network in the Micronesian countries is to rival the Manatua One Polynesia Fibre Cable which is a submarine communications cable linking Polynesian countries such as Samoa, Niue, the Cook Islands, and French Polynesia.
After long being a continental power, China in the 21st century has started to follow an ambitious maritime expansion course, seeking to bolster its power-projection capabilities, especially in North Asia, South-east Asia, the South-west Pacific and the South Pacific. (ANI)Get a daily dose of Calgary Monitor news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Calgary Monitor.
More InformationTORONTO, Canada: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced late on June 29 that trade negotiations with the U.S. have recommenced...
Washington DC [US], July 2 (ANI): United States President Donald Trump on Tuesday (local time) said that Israel has agreed to the necessary...
Washington DC [US] July 2 (ANI): US President Donald Trump on Tuesday (local time) reaffirmed that India-US will soon strike a trade...
The United States is halting some shipments of weapons previously promised to Ukraine for use in its war with Russia under the Biden...
Washington DC [US], July 2 (ANI): As the US Senate passed the 'One Big Beautiful Bill' with Vice President JD Vance casting the tie-breaking...
Washington DC [US], July 2 (ANI): NASA astronaut Anil Menon has been assigned his first mission to the International Space Station,...
TORONTO, Canada: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced late on June 29 that trade negotiations with the U.S. have recommenced...
Vancouver, Canada: A high-stakes legal showdown is brewing in the world of athleisure. Lululemon, the Canadian brand known for its...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: On Friday, President Donald Trump announced that he was halting trade discussions with Canada due to its decision...
TORONTO, Canada: Harvard University and the University of Toronto have created a backup plan to ensure Harvard graduate students continue...
NEW YORK, New York - U.S. President Donald Trump dropped a bombshell on Friday announcing he had terminated trade talks with Canada....
Aluminum, copper and nickel shipments have surged this year, according to trade data Beijing has increased purchases of Russian metals...