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PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (AP) – An acrimonious meeting of world leaders in Papua New Guinea has not resulted in a final agreement on a final communiqué highlighting the widening divisions between Papua New Guinea and Papua New Guinea. the world powers, the United States and China.
The 21 countries participating in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in Port Moresby have struggled to overcome differences over the role of the World Trade Organization, which governs international trade. The chairman of the meeting, Peter O'Neill, Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, would instead issue a statement.
"The whole world is worried" about the tensions between China and the United States, O Neill told a crowd of journalists who shot him after confirming that he was not There was no release from the leaders.
Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau told reporters that there were differences between several countries, including China and the United States. Preliminary versions of the statement seen by the Associated Press showed that the United States wanted strong language against the unfair trade practices that they blame China.
The two-day summit was punctuated with acrimony and highlighted a growing rivalry between China and the West for its influence in the South Pacific, generally neglected.
US Vice President Mike Pence and Chinese President Xi Jinping exchanged speeches on Saturday. Pence said he respected Xi and China, but also severely criticized the world's second largest economy for intellectual property theft, forced technology transfers and unfair trade practices.
According to Xi, the world is facing a choice between cooperation and confrontation as protectionism and unilateralism develop. He said that the rules of global institutions put in place after the Second World War, such as the World Trade Organization, should not be considered selfish goals.
Pence told reporters that during the weekend he had had two "frank" conversations with Xi, who is expected to meet with President Donald Trump at a group of 20 summit to be held at the end of the month at Buenos Aires.
"There are differences today, starting with business practices, tariffs and quotas, forced technology transfers, theft of intellectual property, and beyond the freedom of navigation in the seas. human rights concerns, "said Mr. Pence.
The United States is interested in a better relationship "but there must be a change" on the Chinese side, Pence told Xi, adding that the dialogue was important.
In Port Moresby, the impact of aid and loans from China is very visible. But the United States and its allies are striving to finance infrastructure in Papua New Guinea and other island states. The United States also announced that it would participate in Australia's plan to develop a naval base with Papua New Guinea.
On Sunday, the United States, New Zealand, Japan and Australia announced that they would work with the Government of Papua New Guinea to provide electricity to 70% of the population by 2030. Less than 20% have a reliable electricity supply.
"The US commitment of America to this region of the world has never been stronger," said Pence at a signing ceremony. His office said in a separate statement that other countries are welcome in the electrification initiative as long as they support the US vision of a free and open Pacific.
At the same time, China has pledged $ 4 billion in funding for the construction of the first national road network in Papua New Guinea, among the world's least urbanized countries.
