The Pac-10 rejected a regional security agreement with China

A meeting between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and representatives of 10 Pacific nations in Fiji has collapsed, in a major diplomatic setback for China.

Beijing’s plans have prompted strong warnings, particularly from Australia and the United States, that the strategic area could fall into Chinese hands.

Under the comprehensive agreement, China’s assistance to Pacific nations includes training law enforcement agencies and support for cyber security, as well as fine mapping of the seabed and better exploitation of natural resources on land and at sea.

Beijing also offered millions of dollars in financial aid, the prospect of a free trade agreement between the Pacific islands and China and access to the huge Chinese market, the report said.

In a recent letter to other leaders in the region, David Panuelo, president of the Federated States of Micronesia, described the proposed agreement as “fallacieuse,” Aimed at “ensuring China’s influence over its government” and “economic control” over key sectors.

At the end of the meeting, Pacific island leaders issued a more conciliatory statement, saying they did not accept Beijing’s “vision for common development” due to a lack of regional consensus.

Speaking after the summit, Fiji’s prime Minister Frank Bainimarama, who co-hosted the summit, said Pacific nations need to be consistent in their approach. “As usual, in any discussion of a new regional agreement, we will put consensus between our countries first,” he said at a news conference with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, according to Australia’s ABC.

AFP says among the countries upset by Beijing’s overtures are Papua New Guinea, Samoa and the Federated States of Micronesia, as well as Palau, which diplomatically recognizes Taiwan and was not invited to the meeting.

Papua New Guinea’s Foreign minister Soroi Eoe told AFP he was concerned about a regional deal. “We prefer to deal with our own security issues with China,” he said.

Chinese officials tried to drum up support for the deal during A 10-day diplomatic offensive by Foreign Minister Wang Yi in the region, but they conceded defeat.

“There has been universal support from all 10 countries,” Chinese Ambassador to Fiji Qian Bo said in Suva. But of course there are some concerns on specific issues and we agree with these (……) The document will be discussed after the fact until we reach an agreement.

At the end of the closed-door meeting, China’s foreign minister urged the Pac-10 countries not to worry about Beijing’s intentions, saying they “will continue to have continuous and in-depth discussions and consultations so as to reach a broader consensus on cooperation.”