China is considering the Pacific summit as N.Z. warns against the emptiness of power

Xi Jinping's desire to meet the small island nations of the Pacific region will attract attention to Canberra and Wellington. China is planning a summit of Pacific island leaders in November, Papua New Guinea said, as New Zealand warned Tuesday that Beijing is trying to fill a "void" in this long-neglected region.

President Xi Jinping wants to organize the meeting ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum to be held in Port Moresby from November 12-18.

"(I) invites you to attend a meeting of the Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting with Chinese President, His Excellency Xi Jinping, during his State Visit to Papua New Guinea prior to the meeting of APEC leaders, "Prime Minister Peter O'Neill said in a speech to the Fijian parliament. Suva Monday

O'Neill did not detail the agenda of the meeting but the fact that Xi is looking to sit down with the small island nations of the region will attract the Watch out for Canberra, Wellington and beyond.

Australia and New Zealand They have long considered Oceania as their backyard but China has become increasingly assertive in the region over the last decade.

The Australian think tank Lowy Institute estimates that China has provided $ 1.78 billion in aid, including concessional loans, between 2006-16

The region is also home to a handful of people. Taiwan's remaining diplomatic allies after Chinese efforts in recent years have reduced the number of countries that continue to recognize the self-determined island.

After years of inaction, Canberra and Wellington have dramatically increased aid spending in the region this year with the goal of reclaiming the spirits of island nations.

They also announced plans to improve their military capabilities, Australia invests in surveillance drones and New Zealand buys spy planes from Poseidon P-8

Acting Prime Minister of New Zealand, Winston Peters, declares that geopolitical tensions multiply in the Pacific

"The European Union, Australia and most Asian countries recognize it", has he said on Tuesday at Radio New Zealand

"It is with great clarity that we are living in a much more stressful geopolitical competition zone."

New Zealand issued a Defense Policy Document the last week that dealt with the threat perceived by China in unusually direct language. "China has opinions on human rights and freedom of information that contrast with those prevailing in New Zealand. "[1 9659008] Mr. Peters acknowledged that Chinese diplomats had expressed concerns about the country's representation. in the newspaper, but he said that it reflected the reality.

"We do not render any service to our people by gilding the lily and pulling our verbal punches, so to speak," he said. "We should tell people exactly what is happening."