Minister Wang urges Micronesia opposing 'Comprehensive Development Vision' to reconsider
Meets with former president, political pressure on current Micronesian president
[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] China has reportedly begun persuading Micronesia, which opposed the 'Comprehensive Development Vision' of 10 Pacific island countries.
In particular, Wang Yi, China's Foreign Minister, held a separate meeting with a pro-China former president apart from a video conference with the Micronesian Foreign Minister, exerting political influence.
According to Chinese media including the official Xinhua News Agency on the 3rd, Wang held a video conference with Micronesian Foreign Minister Kandhi Elieser on the 2nd (local time) and stated that exchanges between China and the Pacific island countries would not affect regional security and stability.
Wang seemed conscious of the international negative opinion regarding China's military expansion into the Pacific, emphasizing, "What we (China) want to do in the Pacific island countries is to build roads and bridges, not to strengthen military power." He added, "Trade volume between the two countries increased by more than 30% last year," saying this shows the growth potential of China and Micronesia. He then proposed, "Let's expand cooperation in various fields such as agriculture, fisheries, trade and investment, and tourism."
Wang particularly referred to the '2nd China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers' Meeting' held on the 30th of last month (local time), reiterating that China supports the autonomous and sustainable development of island countries.
Huanqiu Shibao reported the content of the meeting between Wang and Minister Elieser, pointing out that David Panuelo, President of Micronesia, opposed the Comprehensive Development Vision agreement. It also criticized a few Micronesian politicians entangled in personal interests for damaging the interests of the country and its citizens.
Chen Hong, a professor at East China Normal University, diagnosed, "Micronesia is an island country (Palau, Marshall Islands) that has signed a Compact of Free Association with the United States," adding, "Micronesia, which wants to receive more concrete support from the United States, has become a political tool of the U.S."
Huanqiu Shibao also reported that Wang held a meeting with John Haglelgam, former president of Micronesia.
Former President Haglelgam told Wang, "I am proud of the decision to establish diplomatic relations with China," and said, "China's politically unconditional support greatly helps Micronesia's sustainable development." He was president when China and Micronesia established diplomatic relations in 1989.
Wang's individual meeting with the former president is interpreted as a diplomatic tactic to pressure the current ruling faction of Micronesia. It is also seen as a determination to persuade the Micronesian government and ultimately lead to an agreement on the Comprehensive Development Vision.
Wang departed on the 26th of last month on a schedule to visit eight countries including the Solomon Islands, Kiribati, Samoa, Fiji, Tonga, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, and Timor-Leste. This schedule of Wang came after U.S. President Joe Biden clearly expressed his intention to check China in the Indo-Pacific region. It is analyzed that China also clearly expressed its will to advance into the Pacific.
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