By Staff Writer
What is emerging as hysteria over China’s growing presence in Samoa and other island states, is keeping close tag on the official visit by the Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mataafa this week in New Zealand.
PM Fiame was forced to assure the New Zealand media in a press conference on Tuesday there were “no discussions” to extend Chinese military influence in Samoa.
Interest in China have been whipped up by a wary New Zealand and Australian media since the recent signing of a security agreement with the Solomon Is.
Samoa did sign an agreement with the visiting Chinese Foreign Affairs Minister when he arrived from the Solomon Is. but on bilateral agreement to several ongoing development projects underway.
“China had a proposal for members countries they have diplomatic relations with, but it should go first for analysis by the Forum Secretariat and afterwards to member countries for review,” Fiame felt.
Forum leaders are meeting on the 12-14 July 2022 and the Chinese security proposal is expected to be discussed among other issues for the region.
PM Fiame believes the Chinese security proposal is something that is current and will be a good test for some of the security agreements in place for the region already.
She believes also that the Solomon Is-China security agreement should be considered on a broader base by region members.
New Zealand leader PM Jacinda Ardern felt the security capability through the Biketawa and Boe agreements have the capability to cover the security needs of the region.
Both leaders agree on the collective unity of the region and having to work together while recognizing and respecting at the same time the sovereign rights of each country.
Samoa was included in a whirlwind of diplomatic visits to the region by firstly the Chinese Foreign Minister to promote China’s security proposal.
Australia’s Foreign Affairs Minister followed closely behind to play up the ‘Pacific Family’ sentiments to stand collectively against China’s security proposal.