The Small Shouldn’t Tumble in the Great Game of the Asia-Pacific

20 October 202220 October 2022 Alan Callow

In its quest for global dominance, Washington is seeking more and more ways to contain China. In this regard, the U.S. is taking unprecedented steps to engage several countries in Oceania in a strategic confrontation with Beijing. Thus, on September 28-29, 2022 in Washington, the first-ever joint summit of the United States and the Pacific island nations was held, which was an attempt by the White House to restore authority in the region. To this end, the Joe Biden administration drafted a declaration on the U.S.-Pacific Partnership, which commits participants to work together “in the face of the worsening climate crisis and an increasingly complex geopolitical environment”. However, the results of the meeting did not meet U.S. expectations and revealed the extent of the failure of U.S. policy on the Asia-Pacific (APAC), where China is becoming increasingly influential. What led to this outcome, and whose side do the island nations choose?

Obstinate countries

The U.S. had intended the September 28-29 summit to demonstrate the depth and strength of their partnership with the Pacific countries, and at the same time to cement the alliance by signing a new declaration committing the participants to unite “in the face of the climate crisis and the difficult geopolitical situation”. However, a number of states expressed their unwillingness to cooperate, which was an unexpected and severe blow to the White House. So, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia and Palau refused to oppose China, citing insufficient U.S. financial support for the region. Also among the”dissenting states” was the Solomon Islands, which declared that the conclusion of new ties with Washington could undermine their close and valuable ties with Beijing.

Washington is concerned about the possibility of Chinese military bases in the Pacific nation of the Solomon Islands.

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Baseless fears

It is worth noting that Washington’s focus on Oceania is not accidental. The reason for the White House’s genuine interest in a number of small but significant states in the Pacific Ocean was the conclusion in March 2022 of China’s security agreement with the Solomon Islands. According to this document, the government of the Solomon Islands can ask China to send police and soldiers to help stabilize the situation in the Pacific country and protect Chinese diplomats, companies and the diaspora in case of possible social unrest. Meanwhile, Washington is concerned about the possibility of Chinese military bases in the Pacific nation, even though the signatories have denied such intentions.

Scouting for a new prey

However, unwillingness to become part of the U.S.-China standoff was the main reason for the “neutral” course of several Pacific states. The Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Solomon Islands and Palau have expressed concern that the U.S. declaration emphasizes confronting China’s growing role in the region while relegating the fundamental U.S. goal of combating climate change to the back burner. It is questionable how hastily the West has turned its attention to intensifying cooperation with Pacific island countries since the United States and NATO have previously been active only with their “core” allies in the APAC – the Republic of Korea, Japan and Australia – bypassing the smaller economies.

In effect, the Biden administration’s desperate efforts appear to be aimed at winning over as many Pacific partners as possible to its side and using them as tools in its personal struggle against Beijing.

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The Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Solomon Islands and Palau have expressed concern that the U.S. declaration emphasizes confronting China’s growing role in the region while relegating the fundamental U.S. goal of combating climate change to the back burner.

Little gifts preserve friendships

Notably, the Pacific states’ scepticism is not groundless, given that the U.S. efforts to develop and support the region are not comparable to initiatives on China’s part. For example, according to Australia’s Lowy Institute think tank, Beijing has already provided some $1.5 billion in foreign aid to the region and has been doing so for years before the “complications” while Washington only began promising financial injections during the summit. That, in turn, shows that the welfare of U.S. partners in the Pacific is far from high on the list of their regional objectives. The White House is desperate to “bribe” the Pacific states to bend them to its side, although the United States’ ability to deliver on its promises is also questioned amid significant spending in connection with the situation in Ukraine.

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The Pacific island states have recently abandoned the “anti-Chinese” rhetoric and are increasingly preferring cooperation with Beijing.

The bird which has eaten cannot fly with the bird that is hungry

The problem is that the Oceanic countries, unlike the United States, do not care about power and influence conflicts. Pacific states are interested only in the welfare of their people and the threat of a climate crisis, which poses serious risks to the future of states in the region as a whole because it is no secret that the rising waters of the ocean will have a catastrophic effect on the territories of Oceania. Therefore, it is not surprising that the Pacific island states have recently abandoned the “anti-Chinese” rhetoric and are increasingly preferring cooperation with Beijing, which, in addition to competing with the United States and actively conducting foreign policy, does not ignore the problems of Oceania.

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About the author

Alan Callow

Alan Callow is a freelance journalist with experience in writing about the Asia Pacific region. He was born in Japan and graduated from Western Mindanao State University, Philippines.