Forum SG warns Pacific not to be hindered by outsider's geo-political games over China security offer [1]
Thursday, April 11, 2024 - 20:33. Updated on Friday, April 12, 2024 - 11:19.
By Katalina Siasau
[Updated 12 April]
The Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum, Mr. Henry Puna, said China's security offering for the upcoming 53rd Pacific Islands Forum PIF Leaders Meeting to be held in Tonga from 26 - 30 August, this year, is not an issue for the Pacific Forum.
“This issue is a lot more complicated. Because for me it hinges on the sovereignty of these member countries because they [keep] in accordance with their priorities and their own interests in their national borders. So for me it's not a real issue. And if you read the news carefully, you know, it's not emanating from us. Is it? So it's not an issue for us in the Pacific."
Secretary General Puna is in Nuku'alofa this week for a preparatory meeting for PIF and made the comments to journalists after the Tonga government's launch of the PIF theme, at Fa'onelua Center, last night, 10 April,
"You know, we are committed to a regional peace, that’s why we are the Pacific Ocean. The ocean of peace, so let's live up to that! And let's not be allowed by outsiders, you know, to change our thinking and be involved in these geopolitical games. But I will say that geopolitics has an opportunity for us to leverage these geopolitical games for our own benefit and our own priorities in our region,” he said.
“But you know these noises about the police, about Chinese police... I don't think it's an issue. It has to do with the national interest and sovereignty of our member countries and the Forum has no, you know, has no business coming across that. That's my view.”
Security assistance from China
Last week, Tonga's Prime Minister Hon. Hu'akavameiliku told a media briefing on 4 April, that there was no reason to be concerned about the security assistance offered by China, with Tonga's hosting of the Forum leaders meeting in late August.
China offered security help for Tonga, assisting with motorcycles and supporting vehicles.
"Even if it's police training or if police deemed it necessary, of course we will take up the offer," Hon Hu'akavameiliku said.
The theme for this year’s Leaders' meeting is "Transformative Resilient Pasifiki; Build Better Now."