China plans Pacific Island summit as New Zealand warns Beijing is trying to fill power vacuum
Chinese President Xi Jinping wants to hold meeting in November ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Papua New Guinea
China is planning a summit of Pacific Island leaders in November, according to Papua New Guinea, as New Zealand said on Tuesday Beijing was attempting to fill a “vacuum” in the long-neglected region.
President Xi Jinping wants to hold the meeting ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) forum in Port Moresby from November 12-18.
“(I) invite you to attend a Pacific Island leaders’ meeting with the President of China, His Excellency Xi Jinping, during his state visit to Papua New Guinea in the days before the Apec Leaders’ Meeting,” PNG Prime Minister Peter O’Neill said in an address to the Fiji parliament in Suva on Monday.
O’Neill did not detail the meeting’s agenda but the fact Xi is seeking to meet the region’s small island nations will draw attention in Canberra, Wellington and beyond.
Australia and New Zealand have long regarded Oceania as their backyard but China has become increasingly assertive in the region over the past decade.