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Japan and the Pacific islands met at a summit in Tokyo on Thursday to state “they firmly oppose any attempt to unilaterally change the status quo through the threat or use of force or coercion,” in a thinly veiled reference to Beijing.
Neither Tokyo nor representatives of the 18-member Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), which includes New Caledonia and French Polynesia, explicitly named Beijing. The three-day meeting in the Japanese capitalBut the language used in the joint statement is one frequently used by the United States and its allies to refer to China’s growing influence and military capabilities in the Asia-Pacific region.
However, the language used in the declaration at the end of the 10th triennial Pacific Islands Leaders’ Summit (Palm) was stronger than the previous meeting in 2021, which was organised virtually.Leaders committed to ensuring stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region, noted with concern the rapid military buildup that is detrimental to this goal, and called for active, responsible and transparent participation in maintaining peace and regional security.”, the press release stated.
With U.S. support, Japan has stepped up defense cooperation in the competitive Asia-Pacific region, where China also provides infrastructure and security support. Ships importing vital energy for Japan pass through waterways around forum members, which are also important fishing grounds for Tokyo.The environment around us has changed dramatically since the first Palm Summit and the challenges we face are complex.” Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told the media.
Notably, China signed a once-secret security agreement with the Solomon Islands in 2022. In January, FIP member Nauru severed ties with Taiwan in favor of China. Only 12 countries in the world now diplomatically recognize Taipei, including Palau, which called for recognition of Taipei in a statement on Thursday. “A free, open and sustainable maritime order based on the rule of law”. “The Palm Island partners will (…) strengthen defense exchanges through the stopover of Japan Self-Defense Forces aircraft and ships in the Pacific”, the document states.
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