Chinese and Solomon Is delegations sit across from each other in co-operation discussions
By Mataeliga Pio Sioa
Former Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, squinted his eyes closed but left a knowing smile on his face, when asked about the noticeable donor partners’ current rush to spread aid wealth around the Forum islands region.
Australia in particular appeared to be taking the lead in recent weeks followed closely by New Zealand.
Senior Cabinet Ministers from the two countries have been on quick island hopping visits that included Samoa in what appeared to be hurried diplomacy.
Millions of tala in monetary grants were dropped off including signed MOUs to guarantee support in other areas of social developments with recipient Governments and private community organisations.
“It’s not a bad thing actually but they’re only doing it because they’re afraid of China,” Tuilaepa reacted lightheartedly, trying to suppress a ‘know it all’ grin to Newsline Samoa Online enquiries.
But on a serious note he welcomed fully the flow of much needed assistance from all the donor partners for the development needs of the struggling island economies.
Tuilaepa in his leadership role of more than 20 years as Prime Minister kept a firm stance on Samoa taking a neutral position when donor partners’ global politics are at play.
He underlined his neutrality beliefs by aligning with the adage….“The Enemy Of My Enemy Is My Friend”, that has already played out for other island Governments as well.
The sudden run in donor assistance seems to have followed closely behind a Chinese contractor winning the bid to upgrade the Solomon Is. Honiara capital port funded by the Asian Development Bank.
Samoa’s Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa may have stirred anxious reactions, when the international media aired her concerns about the likely security threat from China’s involvement.
PM Fiame pointed to the example of a riot in the Solomon Is. a while back where such a security threat was reported to protect Chinese business community and asset interests.
Both China and the Solomon Is., however, have protested against the comments. A Chinese delegation visit to meet with PM Fiame this week has raised local speculations that it may also be behind her controversial remarks.
“PM Fiame’s comments were silly,” Tuilaepa charged.
“China would not be here if they were not asked for their assistance and on the other hand if we don’t want their help then can we do it ourselves – good luck with that?”
A Chinese road contractor will be deployed in Samoa soon for the Tiavi Cross-Island Road under international donor funding.
Whether that will pose a similar security threat for Samoa as alluded to by PM Fiame with Chinese military presence in the Solomon Is. port construction project is unclear.
The sudden surge, however, in the ‘ diplomacy of generosity’ by Australia and New Zealand tells a revealing story that may just re-affirm as serious truth the former PM Tuilaepa’s ‘fear of China’ claims.
How the assertive influence of the US fits into all this scenario of donor diplomacy in the bigger global forum is subject to active speculation in the peaceful setting of the Pacific island community.