Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

Has China brought the silence of Pacific leaders on climate change?

By Jeffrey Wall - posted Friday, 22 October 2021


Green environment groups in Australia and worldwide have been targeting the destruction of rain forests and unprocessed exports for some time in both PNG and the Solomon Islands. All agree that over 80 per cent of the logs exported are going to China.

And it has been reported in a number of research papers that a not insignificant percentage end up as expensive timber furniture products exported to Australia, the United States and Europe.

The facts relating to legal and illegal logging just demonstrate the stranglehold China is securing over the economic future of both countries. To logging exports to China can be added a growing list of other products such as coffee, cocoa, and of course fisheries.

Advertisement

In the case of the Solomon Islands, which has only been aligned with China since 2018, more than fifty per cent of its total exports are now going to China. In the case of PNG, the share is rising as well.

That brings me to the key message I want to leave with On Line Opinion readers.

It is absolutely clear to me that China has skilfully brought the silence and even acquiescence, of just about every Pacific Island leader and nation on global warming, the Glasgow Summit, and on China's own appalling record.

It has done so through two very effective means.

First, China has stepped up its Belt and Road and other loan engagements with PNG, the Solomon Islands, and most Pacific Island nations, through deals that lack transparency and require the use of only Chinese contractors.

Recently the Lowy Institute's "Pacific Aid Map" reported that China had reduced aid to the Pacific. That is true but China has replaced aid with Belt and Road and other loan programs giving Chinese contractors a stranglehold over infrastructure, communications, and increasingly fisheries.

Advertisement

Hardly a week goes by when I don't see in PNG alone another project announced that looks tailor-made for Exim Bank and other PRC financial institution loans to fund the work which will have to be carried out by PRC contractors only.

The result already is that most Pacific Island nations have levels of indebtedness to China that are beyond their capacity to repay, at least over the short to medium term. That means they are effectively hostage to China. If China's economic and fiscal positions deteriorate, as appears to be happening, one has to wonder just how requests for loan deferral will be treated. (Of course PNG has already sought and received Australian Government approval for two loans in the last two years valued at around $500 million to have repayment deferred).

So apart from the Belt and Road and wider lending China has, and is, negotiating with Pacific Island leaders there is another, even more sinister, factor that I believe is effectively buying the silence of Pacific Island leaders.

  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. Page 2
  4. 3
  5. All


Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

1 post so far.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

Jeffrey Wall CSM CBE is a Brisbane Political Consultant and has served as Advisor to the PNG Foreign Minister, Sir Rabbie Namaliu – Prime Minister 1988-1992 and Speaker 1994-1997.

Other articles by this Author

All articles by Jeffrey Wall

Creative Commons LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Article Tools
Comment 1 comment
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy