Stuart M
Well-Known Member
TrueJust a quick note that the ABC is reporting that the Chinese Pacific Agreement has been "shelved"for now. Not a lot of detail as yet but a very intersting development.
The CCP have settled for memorandums of understanding about BRI deals.Talks between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and 10 Pacific Island nations failed to reach an agreement on a wide-ranging security deal Monday, after sharp warnings the proposal would push the region into “Beijing’s orbit”.
A virtual summit of leaders and foreign ministers was expected to discuss proposals to radically increase China’s involvement in the security, economy and politics of the South Pacific.
But the effort appeared to have fallen short after some regional leaders voiced deep concern.
“As always, we put consensus first,” co-host and Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama said after the meeting, indicating that broad agreement would be needed before inking any “new regional agreements”.
I get two feelings about this: first that BRI understandings was what they expected and anything more was a bonus.
Second that they strutted in with a rather presumptuous expectation that the PI,'s would fall over themselves to sign what ever was put in front of them, and got a bucket of cold water for their trouble and the MofU being the face saver.
The historian's will probably tell us in due course want did happen.