US-led anti-China alliance to meet amid “anxiety” over Beijing’s military activities

Published:

20 Sep 2022 07:51 GMT

The Partners in Blue Pacific group includes the US, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and the UK.

Next Thursday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will host the meeting of the Partners in Blue Pacific (PBP) group, said a White House official, collects South China Morning Post. The main objective of the meeting will be to intensify coordination between member states in the context of competition between the US and China.

“We have seen in recent years a more ambitious China looking to develop its military and similar footprints in the Indo-Pacific region. […] that caused anxiety among partners like Australia and New Zealand, as well as all the countries in the region,” said Kurt Campbell, the White House coordinator for the Indo-Pacific region.

Campbell is scheduled to talk with Manasseh Sogavare, the Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands, and his delegation. “We are going to step up our game in regards to supporting various initiatives in the Pacific, which will also positively influence the Solomon Islands. But we are also clear about what we are concerned about and what we would not like to see.” […] an ability to project power in the long term,” stressed Campbell. In this regard, it should be noted that in April the island country signed a security pact with Beijing.

This month the Pacific island nations made a declaration that Washington must prioritize climate change and not great power competition. Campbell also emphasized this aspect, speaking about the “existential” threat of the climatic factor for the States of the region. He added that the situation regarding climate change and covid-19 is becoming “much more serious” for them.

The PBP was created in June and includes the US, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and the UK, while India is an observer. More countries in the region are expected to join this alliance.