Pacific Islands Push Back Against China’s Security Deals

The Pacific Islands have agreed to increased U.S. engagement and an Australian security agreement, pushing back against communist China’s influence.
The U.S.–Pacific Islands Partnership took center stage at the PIF Leaders Meeting on Aug. 26–30 in Tonga’s capital. The forum brought together Pacific leaders and U.S. representatives to strengthen ties and address regional challenges. The meeting aimed to bolster U.S.–Pacific Island relations by enhancing security and economic development cooperation. With growing concerns over Chinese Communist Party (CCP) influence, Washington sought to reaffirm its commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, offering Pacific nations alternatives to Chinese overtures.
Key issues at the forum included climate change, maritime security, and sustainable development. The United States pledged millions of dollars to enhance climate resilience and disaster preparedness. A significant outcome was the endorsement of Pacific Quality Infrastructure principles, which aim to maximize local benefits and integrate social and environmental considerations.
The proposal, however, faced last-minute concerns from some Pacific island nations, particularly Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands, which already have policing agreements with Beijing. Police cadres and trainers from China regularly rotate through both countries, providing training and delivering aid such as new police vehicles and equipment.
Vanuatu’s prime minister, Charlot Salwai, expressed concern that the plan might prioritize Western strategic interests over the needs of Pacific nations. Salwai emphasized the importance of tailoring the initiative to regional purposes rather than using it as a tool for geopolitical exclusion, implicitly referencing concerns about sidelining China. The Solomon Islands’ diplomatic official, Colin Beck, indicated that he would need to return to his country and discuss the matter with the government before any agreement could be signed.
Australia’s security plan aims to reduce the reliance of Pacific Island nations on China for policing and security, a concern heightened by China’s existing police presence in countries such as the Solomon Islands and Kiribati. The support from Pacific leaders for this plan highlights a preference for regional solutions prioritizing Pacific sovereignty and stability, reinforcing the broader strategy of maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific in the face of growing CCP influence.