Pacific Islands nations are determined not to concede sovereignty in the arm wrestle for regional control between China and the US (Gzero, Paige Fusco)
GREG FRY & TERENCE WESLEY-SMITH
| DevPolicy Blog
CANBERRA - In ‘Sea of many flags’, Rory Medcalf, head of the National Security College at the Australian National University, argues why Pacific Island states should regard the deep regional involvement of a Western coalition (“quietly” led by Australia) as an effective and attractive “Pacific way to dilute China’s influence”.
Although presented as a new proposal, the increased regional engagement of this Western coalition is already well advanced, in the form of proposed new military bases and joint-use facilities, new security treaties, increased aid programs, new embassies, as well as a new regional institution, Partners in the Blue Pacific.