Xi's Pacific trip demonstrates new diplomatic style, strategy

By Catherine Wong Tsoi-lai Source:Global Times

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Extra $11.4m in aid for Fiji

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Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Fiji, which concluded Sunday, demonstrated a new diplomatic style as China seeks to reshape its international image as a major world power by developing wide diplomatic ties that recognize the strategic significance of both smaller and major countries, said analysts.

Xi wrapped up his State visit to Fiji on Sunday morning, the last leg of a three-country trip that took him to New Zealand and Australia, where he attended the G20 Summit in Brisbane.

Xi's trip to Fiji was the first State visit made by a Chinese president. By signing a number of agreements with Fiji and organizing meetings with the leaders of major Pacific Island countries, analysts say China is seeking to demonstrate the strategic importance it attaches to these island nations, and actively expanding its influence in the Asia-Pacific region as part of its global strategy.

Xi's moves to build ties with countries around the world demonstrate a new diplomatic style, one which diverges from the past 20 years of Chinese leadership focus on developing ties with traditional powers like the US and Europe, said a commentary in Hong Kong's Takungpao newspaper.

"Xi's trip to Fiji represents China's emphasis on developing ties with Pacific Island countries, as Fiji is influential in the region and has developed better ties with China," Su Hao, director of the Asia-Pacific Research Center at China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times.

His viewpoints were shared by Huang Wei, a professor from the Institute of World Economics and Politics with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

"China has displayed a new diplomatic image of widely developing ties with countries around the world.[Xi's] State visit has proven that China is focusing not only on developing relations with major countries, but also smaller ones, sweeping aside speculation in foreign media that China doesn't emphasize ties with Pacific Island countries," Huang told the Global Times.

During his trip to Fiji, which began on Friday, Xi signed five agreements with Fiji's Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama, covering bilateral economic cooperation, as well as cooperation on defense, climate change, culture, and visa exemptions for Fijians traveling to China. During their meeting, Bainimarama said Fiji wanted China to be fully engaged in the Pacific and called China "a true friend of Fiji."

In Nadi, Fiji's capital, Xi also held bilateral meetings with leaders from seven other Pacific island countries including the Federated States of Micronesia, Samoa, Papua New Guinea,  Tonga and Niue on Saturday. He also chaired a summit with the eight Pacific Island leaders, including Fiji's, on the same day.

Xi also agreed to inject a further 70 million yuan ($11.4 million) of aid money into Fiji as he wrapped up talks on Sunday.

Xi's visit comes after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, leader of another major Asian power, stopped over in Fiji  Wednesday to meet with regional leaders.

Analysts have pointed out that as India develops its ties with Pacific Island nations, building its status as a regional power, China has sought to develop relationships with Fiji and its neighboring countries from a more global perspective, one in which China acts as an international leader.

"2014 has been a fruitful year for China on the international stage, with Xi's frequent visits and efforts to build ties with countries around the world, including China's neighboring countries in the Asia Pacific region and Latin American countries," said Huang.

"China's healthy relations with Pacific Island countries are not new, but Xi's most recent visit has highlighted the efforts we have made over the years," Huang added.

Fiji was the first Pacific Island nation to establish diplomatic relations with China.

Statistics from China's Ministry of Commerce shows that since 1975, China has provided financial and technical support for nearly 100 infrastructure projects for industrial, agricultural and residential use.

Beginning with the first China-Pacific Island Countries Economic Development and Cooperation Forum held in 2006, China has sought to build cooperation with Samoa, Tonga and the Federated States of Micronesia in agricultural and fisheries development, as well as sending teams to these countries to help develop their medical and healthcare systems.

"China is the first major world power that has fulfilled its responsibility to help these [Pacific Island] countries to develop. Its ties with these countries have also provided China with larger room for diplomatic and economic development. It has been a mutually beneficial relationship," said Su.

Since assuming office in 2012, Xi has visited a number of countries around the globe, including the US and its neighboring Latin American countries, European countries like France and Germany, African countries like Tanzania, and neighboring countries such as South Korea, Mongolia, and Russia

Papua New Guinea reach WT20 qualifier

Cricket World

Papua New Guinea have earned themselves a place at next year's ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier after winning the 2014 ICC EAP Trophy against Vanuatu.

Papua New Guinea celebrate winning the 2014 ICC EAP Trophy© REUTERS / Action Images

  Fresh from beating Hong Kong in their first two One-Day Internationals earlier this month, they beat off their regional competition, winning the final against Vanuatu by seven wickets.
They chased down a target of 97 in just 12 overs and will now join the best Associate and Affiliate sides from around the world as they chase a place at the ICC World Twenty20 2016, which will be held in India.
Six teams will qualify from the 2015 Qualifier, which will be hosted by Ireland and Scotland. Ireland, Afghanistan, Nepal, United Arab Emirates, the Netherlands, Hong Kong and PNG will be joined by seven other regional qualifiers.
PNG won all seven of their group matches to qualify for the final with Vanuatu, who only lost to PNG. Fiji, Samoa, Phillipines, Japan, Indonesia and Cook Islands rounded out the remaining places.
Fiji will play Japan and Samoa the Phillipines in a 50-over mini-tournament to decide which team represents the East-Asia Pacific region in World Cricket League Division Six - See more at: http://www.cricketworld.com/papua-new-guinea-rea…/39406.htm…

China, Pacific island countries announce strategic partnership

NADI, Fiji, Nov. 22 (Xinhua) -- China and eight Pacific island countries agreed here on Saturday to establish a strategic partnership featuring mutual respect and common development.


Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a keynote speech during a group meeting with Fijian Prime Minister Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama, Federated States of Micronesia President Emanuel Mori, Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister Peter O'Neill, Prime Minister of Vanuatu Joe Natuman, the Cook Islands Prime Minister Henry Puna, Tonga Prime Minister Siale'ataonga Tu'ivakano and Niue Premier Toke Talagi in Nadi, Fiji, Nov. 22, 2014. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)

 

The agreement was announced at a meeting between visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping and the leaders of the eight countries, namely Fiji Prime Minister Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama, Micronesia President Emanuel Mori, Samoa Prime Minister Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi, Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O' Neill, Vanuatu Prime Minister Joe Natuman,

The Cook Islands Prime Minister Henry Puna, Tonga Prime Minister Siale'ataonga Tu'ivakano and Niue Prime Minister Toke Talagi.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (C rear) delivers a keynote speech during a group meeting with Fijian Prime Minister Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama, Federated States of Micronesia President Emanuel Mori, Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister Peter O'Neill, Prime Minister of Vanuatu Joe Natuman, the Cook Islands Prime Minister Henry Puna, Tonga Prime Minister Siale'ataonga Tu'ivakano and Niue Premier Toke Talagi in Nadi, Fiji, Nov. 22, 2014. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin)

 

All the eight island countries have established diplomatic ties with China since the 1970s.

In a keynote speech delivered at the meeting, Xi expounded China's policy and measures to enhance relations with the island countries in a new era, stressing that China is a sincere friend and partner of those countries.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (C) poses for a group photo during a meeting with Fijian Prime Minister Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama (4th L), Federated States of Micronesia President Emanuel Mori (2nd L), Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi (4th R), Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister Peter O'Neill (3rd R), Prime Minister of Vanuatu Joe Natuman (3rd L), the Cook Islands Prime Minister Henry Puna (2nd R), Tonga Prime Minister Siale'ataonga Tu'ivakano (1st L) and Niue Premier Toke Talagi (1st R) in Nadi, Fiji, Nov. 22, 2014. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei)

 

The Chinese people and the people of the island countries have a "natural sense of amity" toward each other and enjoy a "long history of friendship" although they are geographically far apart, Xi said.

Hailing the expanding common interests of China and the island countries, Xi said their friendly cooperation has entered a fast-track of development.

"China will attach more not less importance to its relations with the island countries and will make more input," he said.

Xi said China respects the island countries' own choices of social systems and development paths in accordance with their national conditions, and support the countries' efforts to manage and decide on regional affairs in their own way as well as to participate in international affairs to safeguard their legitimate rights and interests.

He urged China and the island countries to increase high-level interactions, saying that his country welcomes leaders of the countries to visit China and will work with them on top-level design for their relations.

"(We) stand ready to expand government-to-government, legislature-to-legislature and party-to-party interactions with the island countries, and will continue to advance the China-Pacific Island Countries Economic Development and Cooperation Forum and other regular dialogues," said the Chinese president.

Referring to his proposal on the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, Xi said China sincerely hopes to share experience and achievement of development with the island countries and welcomes them to take a ride on the Chinese "express train" of development.

China is willing to deepen cooperation with the island countries in trade, agriculture and fishery, marine industry, energy and resources, infrastructure construction and other sectors, said Xi, adding that China will offer zero-tariff preference for 97 percent of tax items imported from the least developed countries.

China will continue to provide support for the island countries' major projects, infrastructure construction and projects involving people's livelihoods, Xi said.

On people-to-people exchanges, the Chinese president pledged to provide the island countries with 2,000 scholarships and 5,000 slots for various studies and trainings in the next five years.

China will send more medical teams to the island countries and encourage more Chinese tourists to visit the countries, he added.

In the meantime, Xi said China stands ready to enhance communication with the island countries on global governance, poverty elimination, disaster reduction, food security, energy security, humanitarian aid and climate change to safeguard the common interests of all developing countries, Xi said.

Xi arrived in Nadi on Friday for a state visit to Fiji after his trips to Australia and New Zealand.

The leaders of the island countries said they all regard China as a sincere friend and partner as the Chinese side always respects and supports the island countries.

They said China's policy and measures toward the islands countries in the new era meet the actual needs of the countries and will help the countries in their push for sustainable development.

China's proposals on the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road and the Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank generate important opportunities for the island countries, they noted.

The leaders pledged that their countries will boost exchanges and cooperation, and cement friendship with China and will join hands with

Engaging India in the Pacific Islands Region

Foreign Minister Rimbink Pato has carried forward a number of significant issues at a meeting of Pacific Island Countries and the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, this week in Fiji.
The meeting took place following Modi’s attendance the G20 Leaders meeting in Brisbane, Australia, and was intended as a way for India to engage more closely with the governments of Pacific Island States.
Pato said the forum created an opportunity for Papua New Guinea and Pacific Island States to deepen engagement with one of the largest countries in the world.
“India has one of the biggest economies and populations in the global community, and is seeking to engage more closely with the Pacific through trade in goods and services,” Pato said.
“India is also growing as a support provider to developing countries and is interested to look at partnership opportunities through Papua New Guinea’s ongoing assistance with Pacific Island countries.”
Despite the population and economic size difference between India and Papua New Guinea, the Foreign Minister said two countries share a number of common concerns and challenges.
“Urbanisation is posing a challenge to India as people move from rural areas into the cities.
“This is placing significant pressure on infrastructure such as roads, water and energy.  There is scope for discussion at a working level between the two countries to share policy approaches to improving the lives of our people when these pressures are experienced.”
Pato said at a broader Pacific level, India has been acknowledged for its work on encouraging support for larger countries to confront climate change sand manage the consequences of issues such as rising sea levels.
“India’s Prime Minister is very strong in his views on climate change and has been vocal on this issue in the United Nations,” he said.
“Prime Minister Modi is aware of the affects of climate change on low-lying islands and other problems such as climate induced migration due to changing weather patterns.
“Papua New Guinea looks forward to advancing climate change issues alongside India at future UN related events.”
The Indian delegation expressed interest in discussing high level visits between Papua New Guinea and India to expand on trade, investment and other areas of mutual interest.
“There are a number of Indian companies already operating in Papua New Guinea and the two governments are looking at opportunities for expanding education opportunities, particularly in the area of information technology, where India has high-level expertise.”

How Whitlam’s self-interest sank PNG

 

·      GEOFFREY LUCK

·      THE AUSTRALIAN

·      NOVEMBER 04, 2014

 

IN all the words written about Gough Whitlam, little has been said of one of his greatest ideological and opportunistic initiatives, one of which he was inordinately proud, yet inevitably became one of his many disasters. We know it as the failed state of Papua New Guinea.

Gough Whitlam and a young Michael Somare at Independence celebrations. Credit: Whitlam Institute.

 

In the 1960s Whitlam used PNG as a lever to advance his ambitions in the Labor Party. His regular visits culminated in his 1970 tours of the territory inciting radicalism and disparaging the efforts of government, business and settlers in his crusade against what he termed Australian colonialism.

Whitlam has been seen as a visionary, but in reality he was a fashionista, shrewdly sensitive to ideas already current in the wider world to which he could sincerely subscribe and could appropriate.

So it was with anti-colonialism, the grand international theme of the 60s. It swelled to the nationalistic drumbeat as former colonies gained independence, then ­blossomed as their petty tyrants took triumphant control of the UN organs of moralistic reform.

In the first few years of that decade, 30 former colonies of France, Britain, Belgium and Italy secured independence, some after bitter and protracted bloody struggles.

The steady Australian policy of uniform development of PNG was contrasted to the frantic Dutch ­efforts to produce a political elite in West New Guinea, as Indonesia sprinkled paratroopers into the swamps of Manokwari.

Hugh Foot, the British colonial administrator who lowered the Union Jack around the world, became Britain’s ambassador to the Trusteeship Council in 1961, gamekeeper turned poacher. The next year he led the UN visiting mission that critiqued Australia’s management of PNG, ­demanding a local parliament.

In response to these growing pressures, a House of Assembly of 100 members was elected from a common electoral roll in 1964, but the Trusteeship Council and the UN Special Committee on Decolonisation increasingly demanded independence. It was a campaign Whitlam wholeheartedly endorsed, oblivious to the realities of PNG or the wishes of the great majority of the native population.

ALP policy under ­Arthur Calwell supported the Menzies government policy of uniform development. Calwell visited New Guinea regularly and was well informed on territory affairs. Whitlam set out to destroy the bi­partisan approach to PNG ­dev­elopment. It fitted ­con­ven­i­ently with his efforts to ­reform the party and replace ­Calwell as leader.

Paul Hasluck, minister for territories and author of the gradualist policy of development, told parliament in April 1961 that Whitlam was using New Guinea as “just another rung on a ­borrowed ladder” for his climb to leadership.

In 1965, Whitlam told a World Bank seminar in Goroka that “the world will think it anomalous if Papua New Guinea is not independent by 1970”.

A few days later he went much further, in a dinner speech to the 400 most influential Australians in Port Moresby. That speech has never been reported because he pulled one of his most reprehensible stunts.

Before he spoke, he called for any journalists in the room to stand up, then asked the four of us to undertake not to report what he was about to say — “otherwise I will not be saying it”, he said. What he went on to say shocked everyone in the room.

 

Only deputy leader and speaking against Labor policy, he warned that as soon as Labor came to power it would announce full self-government for PNG, and immediately set the constitutional wheels in motion to grant ­independence.

Whitlam hoped to unnerve Territorians, but not let his party or Australia know. To this day I have been ashamed I didn’t break that undertaking, extorted under such disgraceful circumstances.

 

By 1967 Whitlam was leader, but he narrowly lost the 1969 election. In his notorious tour of PNG in 1969-70, he courted small radical elements such as Pangu Pati while ignoring government officers, and insulting conservative native leaders as “Uncle Toms” and their massed supporters as stooges of Australian colonialism.

The tour climaxed in Rabaul where Whitlam blundered into a land and local government dispute. At a mass gathering of more than 10,000 wildly cheering Tolais at Queen Elizabeth Park, what he said, further exaggerated by deliberate mistranslation, was interpreted as support for their rebellion and a promise of independence. Senior administration officers were furious that he had allowed himself to be used.

Six months later prime minister John Gorton faced a similar crowd at the same site, but this time raging in fury against Australian government policies. The situation became so threatening the district commissioner slipped Gorton a pistol. In the event, the tension evaporated when the sound system failed.

PNG achieved self-government in 1973 and independence in 1975. It was all too early, with too little done. The pressures had come from outside, but Whitlam forced the pace by encouraging and magnifying the ambitions of unrepresentative elites.

In his book The Whitlam Government, he wrote: “If history were to obliterate the whole of my public career, save my contribution to the independence of a democratic PNG, I should rest content.”

Last month, a New Guinean writer, Mathias Kin, marked Whitlam’s contribution to his country’s independence with this bitter comment: “It lasted only 15 years before self-interest and corruption grabbed it by the throat.”

Geoffrey Luck was the ABC’s news editor, PNG, from 1962 to 1967 and trained the first Papuan and New Guinean journalists

PNG votes against a global moratorium on the death penalty

 Amnesty International



114 of the UN’s 193 member states today voted in favour of the UN resolution to establish a moratorium on executions.

© Aimee Castanell

“Today’s vote confirms that more and more countries around the world are coming around to the fact that the death penalty is a human rights violation and must end. It is also a clear message to the minority of states that still execute – you are on the wrong side of history. ”

Source: Chiara Sangiorgio, Death Penalty expert at Amnesty International       

Date:  Fri, 21/11/2014       

The vast majority of the world’s countries today threw their weight behind a UN General Assembly resolution to establish a moratorium on executions with a view to abolishing the death penalty globally, Amnesty International said.
114 of the UN’s 193 member states today voted in favour of the resolution which will go before the General Assembly Plenary for final adoption in December.
“Today’s vote confirms that more and more countries around the world are coming around to the fact that the death penalty is a human rights violation and must end. It is also a clear message to the minority of states that still execute – you are on the wrong side of history,” said Chiara Sangiorgio, Death Penalty expert at Amnesty International.
Since 2007 there have been four resolutions calling for a worldwide moratorium on the death penalty, with support increasing each time. Overall, the votes in favour of this resolution increased by three since the last time a similar vote took place in 2012.
114 states voted in favour, 36 voted against and 34 abstained compared to 111 votes in favour, 41 against and 34 abstentions in December 2012. The draft resolution was co-sponsored by 94 UN Member States from all regions of the world, the highest number yet.
New votes in favour came from Eritrea, Fiji, Niger and Suriname. As a further positive sign, Bahrain, Myanmar and Uganda moved from opposition to abstention. Regrettably, Papua New Guinea went from abstention to a vote against the resolution.
Today’s vote in the UNGA’s Third Committee, which addresses social, humanitarian and human rights issues, is an important indicator for the main vote on the resolution in the General Assembly Plenary next month, when the resolution is expected to be endorsed. Although not legally binding, UN General Assembly resolutions carry considerable moral and political weight.
“Governments around the world should seize the opportunity of today’s vote to renew their dialogue to make this moratorium call a reality – we hope we will see even stronger support come the final vote in December,” said Chiara Sangiorgio.
 Amnesty International urges all UN Member States to support the resolution when it comes for adoption at the plenary session. Those countries still retaining the death penalty should immediately establish a moratorium on executions as a first step towards full abolition.

Background

When the UN was founded in 1945 only eight of the then 51 UN Member States had abolished the death penalty. Today, 95 Member States have abolished the death penalty for all crimes, and in total 137 out of the 193 have abolished the death penalty in law or practice.
 The adoption of these ground-breaking resolutions on a moratorium on the use of the death penalty since 2007 has generated momentum to renew the commitment to the abolition of the death penalty.
Amnesty International opposes the death penalty in all cases without exception, regardless of the nature or circumstances of the crime; guilt, innocence or other characteristics of the individual; or the method used by the state to carry out the execution. 

Growth as Pacific tourism heats up

By Colin Taylor

The New Zealand Herald

4:02 PM Saturday Nov 22, 2014

 

Colliers International has released its inaugural South Pacific Island Hotel and Tourism Report covering key South Pacific countries including Fiji, Tahiti, the Cook Islands, Papua New Guinea (PNG), Samoa and New Caledonia.



Outrigger on the Lagoon was recently sold in Fiji.



"The South Pacific tourism market is heating up after a long period in the shade," says Dean Humphries, the national director of Colliers International Hotels.

He says the renewed optimism is a result of the easing global financial crisis and a number of geopolitical events that have occurred including the recent Fijian elections returning a democratically elected Government after eight years of military rule.

"With regional and global economies improving, we are seeing encouraging signs of increased tourism activity, culminating in improving revenue and property values," says Humphries.

"As with recent trends in New Zealand, Fiji is reporting record occupancy and room rates while other markets like PNG, Samoa and Rarotonga are also displaying strong trading conditions.

    

"In the past 12 months the South Pacific region's key performance metrics and transactional inquiry levels have risen as global markets recover and discretionary spending on leisure tourism increases."

Humphries says new development is also featuring in Fiji, Samoa, New Caledonia and PNG and renewed investment activity has been noted.

"This is a result of a several large transactions in the last year, and more significant assets being offered to the market as investors take advantage of counter-cyclical buying opportunities."

Colliers International's hotel division has produced a visitor-supply ranking index based on inbound visitor arrivals and the supply of hotel rooms and resorts.

"This is a very effective barometer for investors wanting to identify key markets in the region where activity is most likely to occur over the short to medium term," Humphries says.

The ranking has Fiji at number one, Tahiti second and PNG third, with other markets such as Samoa and the Cook Islands showing signs of improvement.

A first "South Pacific hotel investment cycle clock", produced in conjunction with a number of regional industry experts, also forms part of the report,

"This identifies where each market is in terms of its current revenue performance," says Humphries.

"While many countries are towards the bottom of the hotel investment cycle, there are encouraging signals that most of these will enter a growth phase over the short term."

The report includes the recent sales of large resorts in Fiji such as Sonaisali Island, Castaway Island and Outrigger on the Lagoon.

New resort developments include the resurrection of the Momi Bay development in Fiji after its collapse in 2007. Marriot International plans to open a five-star, 250-room resort there in 2016. Other notable projects are the refurbishment and rebranding of Aggie Greys Hotel and Bungalows in central Apia, Samoa, and the rebranding of Aggie Greys Lagoon Beach Resort and Spa, which is opening under the Sheraton brand next year.

- NZ Herald