China coming to South Pacific this week with tour of eight nations

China has announced one of its most powerful men and a large entourage of high level officials are making their way to the South Pacific.

One of China’s most powerful men is making his way to the South Pacific for an eight-nation trip this week, Beijing confirmed overnight.

State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi will begin his trip in the Solomon Islands from May 26; no doubt a nod to the recent security agreement signed by the two countries.

Australia has repeatedly raised concerns that the pact could be used by China to establish a military presence in the region.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin confirmed the visit overnight, which will also include Kiribati, Samoa, Fiji, Tonga, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea and East Timor.

Wang will also chair the Second China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers’ Meeting while in Fiji.

Wang will also hold a videoconference – dubbed an “online visit” — to Micronesia and meet leaders of the Cook Islands and Niue via video links.

He will be accompanied by a delegation of 20 Chinese “high-level” officials where a number of “key bilateral agreements” will be signed.

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Picture: PRAKASH MATHEMA / AFP

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov with Chinese counterpart Wang Yi pictured in March during his first visit to China since Moscow launched its invasion of Ukraine. Picture: AFP

In a statement from the Solomon Islands government and obtained by news.com.au, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade said it was a “first historical visit”.

Earlier this month Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare said critics of his government’s controversial security deal with China had treated his country like “kindergarteners with Colt 45s”.

He described China’s visit as a “milestone”.

Wang will be visiting the Solomon Islands on Thursday 26th – Friday 27th June. During Wang’s “brief stay”, he is expected to hold bilateral discussions with his Solomon Islands counterpart Jeremiah Manele, Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, “to discuss issues of mutual interest and concern”.

In a statement from the government of Kiribati obtinaed by news.com.au, Wang will arrive on Friday afternoon, 27 May and will “stay for a duration of four hours in which they will meet with Kiribati Head of State and President His Excellency Taneti Maamau for bilateral discussions at his residence in Bairiki”.

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare. Picture: SAEED KHAN / AFP

HMAS Armidale sails into the Port of Honiara on December 1, 2021 in Honiara, Solomon Islands. Picture: CPL Brodie Cross/Australian Department of Defence via Getty Images

Three medical specialists will also assist the visit to share “knowledge on their field of specialisation while at the same time assessing the health system in Kiribati.

Covid-19 restrictions are also expected to be enforced with members required to undergo PCR testing upon arrival as well as travelling in “travel bubbles” from the airport to their destinations to ensure minimal contact and exposure with Kiribati.

“China is expected to strengthen its co-operation in the fields of security and economy with relevant countries,” an editorial in Beijing’s state mouthpiece Global Times wrote.

“This move proves China’s peaceful and constructive presence in the region has been widely welcomed despite the containment campaign launched by the US and Australia.”

“The relations between China and the South Pacific countries are based on mutual respect and win-win co-operation, and most importantly, China respects the sovereignty of the relevant countries and is able to help them improve their infrastructure and law-enforcement capabilities to safeguard stability.

“In contrast, the US and Australia show no respect to these small island countries and only intend to use hard power to control them just like the colonialists, and this is the key reason why they are not popular among the South Pacific countries while China is being welcomed.”

China signed the framework agreement on security co-operation with Solomon Islands in defiance of warnings from Australia and the United States in April.

It followed direct appeals to the Solomon Islands – that lie less than 2,000 km from Australia – not to sign the deal with China.

China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin announced the agreement in Beijing.

“The purpose of China-Solomon security co-operation is to promote social stability and long-term peace and security in Solomon Islands, which is in line with the common interests of Solomon Islands and the South Pacific region,” he said.

At the time, then-Foreign Minister Marise Payne said: “Australia is deeply disappointed by the signing of a security co-operation agreement between Solomon Islands and China, announced by the Chinese Government.”