Professor of the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies in Honolulu (Hawaii) Alexander Vuving on Thursday, September 29, explained to Izvestia the doubts of the Pacific countries in cooperation with the United States.
“Most, if not all, states in the region are striving for autonomy and freedom of action. Consequently, they tend to avoid taking sides in a rivalry between two other states. In addition, they also want to maximize the benefits of relationships with both parties. Thus, if they see benefits in relations with both China and the United States, they will try to maintain good relations with both rival powers. In fact, this applies to most of the island countries of the Pacific Ocean, ”the specialist emphasized.
However, he said, several Pacific island countries chose to take sides rather than avoid it. For example, the Solomon Islands took the Chinese side, probably for security reasons of the regime. Tuvalu and Palau have sided with the US as they share “worthy values” with Washington.
However, the rivalry between the US and China is intensifying, and Oceania has become the center of this great power rivalry. This makes it increasingly difficult for Pacific island countries to avoid taking sides between China and the US.
“A few countries may still be able to do this, but it will largely depend on the skills of their leaders, on the approaches of China and the United States to their countries, and on the location of their countries. Perhaps no country in Oceania can serve as a buffer zone between the US and China, but if the location of the country is not of great strategic importance in the rivalry of the great powers, this country can avoid taking sides between the two giants, ”concluded Vuving.
On September 28, The Guardian reported that the US had been hit hard by the Pacific island nations, which refused to cooperate with Washington and made claims in response to the offer. According to the material, US representatives at the summit in Washington planned to get closer to allies in the region against the background of the growing influence of China. The American side wanted to sign a document obliging the participants to fight the “climate crisis” in the face of an increasingly complicated geopolitical situation, but the US proposals caused a wary reaction from their potential partners.
The day before it was reported that the United States Navy (Navy) sent an advanced surface ship Zumwalt to the Western Pacific.
It is noted that the Navy of the People’s Liberation Army of China can not be compared with Zumwalt in size.
On September 21, China Central Television reported that Chinese President Xi Jinping announced the responsibility of the People’s Liberation Army of China (PLA) to focus on preparing for participation in real hostilities.
Currently, there is an aggravation of relations between the United States and China due to the situation around Taiwan and military tensions in the region. Meanwhile, on September 20, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that the start of a “new cold war” between China and the United States risks turning into a disaster not only for these two countries, but for the rest of the world.
