China Calls Out the US, New Zealand for Criticism Over Recent Activity in the Pacific Region

(Photo : GREG BAKER/AFP via Getty Images)
China is angered by the gaslighting of Washington and Wellington, saying things about Chinese intentions in the Pacific region, calling the US a fading power using smaller players to push back, eventually getting less support.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian takes a question at the daily media briefing in Beijing on April 8, 2020.

China expresses anger at the US and its ally after hurling falsities about activities in the Pacific region. The US and New Zealand, according to Beijing, are bordering on distortion and defamatory statements that are ill-meant.

US, New Zealand Concern Over Solomon Islands

Beijing has slammed recent comments by US President Joe Biden and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern concerning Beijing's increased activity in the region, defining it as "gross interference" in Chinese internal matters, reported RT.

Attending a meeting in the US capital, Ardern met the US leader and came up with a joint statement hitting on the decision of the sovereign nation of the Solomon Islands agreement with Beijing, SBS News.

The statement from the White House stressed that persistent military activity in the Pacific by a nation that does not share our values or security interests might significantly alter the region's strategic balance, presenting national-security concerns for the two countries, noted Reuters.

President Biden expressed that more work must be done with these Pacific islands before meeting with Ardern. Adding their nations are aligned in pursuing concerns important to the US, but not necessarily a concern that is important for the Pacific Island leaders.

China's Foreign Ministry slammed the statements, saying they slandered and meddled in Beijing's internal affairs.

The inappropriate joint statement, which distorts the facts and slanders China's cooperation with Oceania, was noted by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian.

He went on to say that it is blatant meddling by Washington and Wellington in the internal affairs of the People's Republic of China that is condemned in the Pacific region.

US Has No Hegemony in the Pacific Islands

According to the spokesperson, China's accord with the Solomon Islands will benefit the peaceful development of Oceania, and security cooperation between the two countries is not aimed directly at any other country.

Zhao pointed out that Beijing does not want a military base there, compared to the US, which has bases everywhere. The security pact of the Solomon Islands with Beijing has caused an adverse reaction to the US and Australia, which is less than 2,000 km away.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison considered China establishing a military base is not allowed, calling it a 'red line' not to cross. Despite the tough talk by Biden and Canberra say they will respond to the Chinese presence in the region but not how to.

While the Solomon Island PM Manasseh Sogavore spoke to the parliament about those opposed to the Chinese pact, no one mentioned saying that the island would be invaded, hinting at forced change by another power.

But Morrison said that Canberra would not do anything drastic but nothing about the US response.

Beijing announced more cooperation with the Solomon Islands and more collaboration for mutual interests and commitments, peace, and security in the region.

Last Saturday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated that the unilateralism and hegemonic bullying by the US and its Allies cooperate with Samoa and developing nations to keep their rights and real multilateralism, not a unipolar one.

China is facing harsh criticism from Washington and Wellington for gaining allies in the Pacific region, but the west is blocking it.