3 Pacific Leaders to Give Key Regional Meeting a Miss

This picture taken shows flags from the Pacific Islands countries being displayed in Yaren on the last day of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) on Sept. 5, 2018. (Mike Leyral/AFP via Getty Images)

The heads of three Pacific countries–Papua New Guinea (PNG), Vanuatu, and Solomon Islands–have declined to attend this year’s Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) meeting.

The decision comes as leaders of the countries continue building ties with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which has significantly expanded its footprint in the region in recent years.

The three leaders will instead send ministers to PIF, which is held in Rarotonga, Cook Islands, from Nov.6 to 10, 2023.

Papua New Guinea Deputy Prime Minister John Rosso will represent his country, while Climate Change Minister Ralph Regenvanu will lead Vanuatu’s delegation.

Neither country has explained why their prime ministers are absent.

Meanwhile, the Solomon Island’s government said Foreign Minister Jeremiah Manele would attend the event on behalf of Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare as he was “tied down with duties as Minister for Pacific Games” and Parliament.

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The Games will be held in Honiara, Solomon Islands, between Nov. 19 and Dec. 2, 2023.

The Pacific Islands Forum is an international organisation that promotes cooperation among 18 Oceania countries and territories.

It was a key plank of the U.S. Biden administration and Albanese Labor government to build relations with Pacific governments and to also act as a bulwark against Beijing’s ambitions in the region.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has arrived in the Cook Islands for the meeting.

“Working together, through the Pacific Islands Forum, is vital to securing a shared Pacific that is peaceful, safe, and prosperous,” Mr. Albanese told reporters.

CCP’s Growing Influence in Three Countries

China is PNG’s second-largest trading partner after Australia and a major source of investment.

In recent years, Chinese companies have invested heavily in PNG’s natural resources sector and infrastructure projects while providing significant development assistance to PNG in the form of grants, loans, and technical assistance.

The CCP has also tried to deepen economic ties by attempting to establish local branches of state-owned banks to promote the yuan currency.

Under the CCP’s influence, PNG has openly supported many international policies introduced by Beijing, including the One China policy and the Belt and Road Initiative.

Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister James Marape (L) and his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese pose for photos in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, on Jan. 12, 2023. (Andrew Kutan/AFP via Getty Images)

Vanuatu, whose largest overseas creditor is China, has also been wooed by the CCP’s economic benefits.

In 2018, the Chinese regime “generously” provided loans to Vanuatu to help finance many infrastructure projects, including a new wharf.

Former Vanuatu Prime Minister Bob Loughman was said to maintain a close tie with Beijing to seek aid and development funding.

In 2022, his-then government announced support for the One China policy.

Meanwhile, the CCP’s influence in the Solomon Islands has also grown with a Solomon Island’s member of Parliament warning the Chinese regime has infiltrated his country at every level.

In July, the Solomon Islands government successfully ousted a provincial leader who was a long-time critic of the CCP, sparking protests and scuffles in the region.

There were allegations that members of the national government received bribes from the CCP to force the former leader out of his position.

To counter the CCP’s growing influence in the three countries, Australia has attempted to form defence pacts and security deals, as well as increase aid funding for the region.

Andrew Stacey and Daniel Y. Teng contributed to this article.