Deputy Assistant to US President Joe Biden and White House Indo-Pacific Coordinator Kurt Campbell said that China, in the last several years, has sought to expand its military footprint in the Pacific region.
He made these remarks at Carnegie’s 2nd annual Indo-Pacific Islands dialogue in a session titled “U.S. View on Islands in the Indo-Pacific.” “In the last several years there is a more ambitious China that seeks to develop a footprint militarily (in the Pacifics). That has caused some anxiety with partners like Australia and New Zealand, and even countries in the region as a whole. That is an added dimension to the circumstances.
Terming the Pacific region “diverse,” he said that the US needs to gauge many parameters when it comes to the Pacific Islands, including telecom, educational opportunity, enormous challenges of governance, and businesses that have been hurt.
At another session titled “Conversation Fireside Chat Developments in the Pacific: A View from Australia” Paul Myler, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Australia, said that Australia’s position in the Pacific seems to be evolving, and this is one of the most important priorities of the newly elected Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. “A huge emphasis on Pacific priorities is there in the face of increasing strategic contestation.” He talked about the Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong’s visit to Pacific island forums, which “shows her level of commitment to listening and partnership.”
Deputy Chief of Mission Myler also noted that Australia recognises climate change as an existential threat. “Climate change is also intertwined with security. Priorities are there for infrastructure and development in the Pacific. “Getting over COVID will be important for a fiscal boost for the Pacifics.” “We have to find a way to provide fiscal support to Pacific islands to get back on stable footing,” he added.