China faces economic setback in South Pacific with regional leadership change
- Former president of a tiny Micronesian island nation will be in charge of the Pacific Islands Forum next year, and he was once known for taking a hard line on China
- Baron Divavesi Waqa clashed with a Chinese diplomat at a 2018 event and accused him of using Beijing’s might to bully the tiny island nation
The appointment of a one-time China hardliner to lead an influential group of 18 South Pacific nations bodes poorly for Beijing’s pursuit of closer economic ties in Oceania, analysts suggest.
Next year, former Nauru president Baron Divavesi Waqa will become secretary general of the Pacific Islands Forum – an organisation that recommends action for the vast region based on consensus among members that include US-leaning Australia and New Zealand – following his appointment last month.
In 2018, when he was president of the Micronesian island of 12,500 people, located northeast of Australia, Waqa clashed with the head of China’s delegation at that year’s annual Pacific Islands Forum, which Waqa was hosting.
Nauru’s president then lashed out at Du’s “crazy” behaviour at the Pacific islands summit and at Beijing’s “arrogant” presence in the region.
“The Pacific Islands … may be finding the US approach more palatable,” said Stuart Orr, head of the business school at the Melbourne Institute of Technology. “Waqa’s comments suggest that he could nudge this developing viewpoint.”