(Washington Composite Electric) The White House announced on Thursday that Fiji decided to join the Indo -Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF). It is the first Pacific Island country to join and the 14th founding country of this multilateral framework.At the same time, foreign ministers of China and Australia visited the Pacific Islands respectively, and the intention of the United States and Australia and China to fight for the Pacific influence was very obvious.
The White House said that with the addition of Fiji, the IPEF geographical scope covers Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, Oceania and Pacific countries.US National Security Consultant Sha Liewen said that IPEF is committed to establishing a free and open and prosperous Indo -Pacific region.He also pointed out that Fiji joined the IPEF to add valuable opinions on the problem of climate change.
U.S. President Biden launched an IPEF in Tokyo on the 23rd. The other 13 founding countries include the United States, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia, New Zealand, and Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia and the Philippines.nation.
The Indo -Pacific Economic Framework has not been announced at present, and only has four categories: fair and adaptable trade, elastic supply chain, infrastructure and reducing carbon emissions, tax and anti -corruption.Among them, in terms of fairness and adaptability, we have set up seven areas of labor, environment and climate change, digital economy, agriculture, regulatory transparency, competition rules and smooth trade.
The Trump administration withdrew from the cross -Pacific partnership agreement, and the United States left a vacuum in the Indo -Pacific region.The United States is now trying to increase the sense of existence in the Indo -Pacific region via IPEF.
Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi visits the eight island nations of the Pacific
As the White House announced that Fiji joined the IPEF, Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi also visited the South Pacific.From May 26th to June 4th he will visit eight Pacific islands, hoping to greatly expand cooperation between Beijing and this area.It is understood that China is seeking a security and economic agreement with about 10 Pacific countries.
Wang Yi emphasized on Thursday that China will continue to pursue the "four persistences" in the development of the Pacific Island Relations. One is to adhere to equality and treat each other, the other is to adhere to mutual respect, the third is to adhere to the win -win cooperation, and the fourth is to persist in opening up and tolerance.
Australian Foreign Minister Huang Yingxian visited Fiji
On the day Wang Yi arrived in the Solomon Islands, Australian Foreign Minister Huang Yingxian also visited Fiji. She pointed out at a press conference yesterday that Solomon Islands and China signed a security agreement in April may bring bad consequences to the Pacific."We believe that the security of various regions should be determined by countries in various regions. This is very important." She said: "The world has changed, there are more strategic competition, and more international norms are destroyed.A proof. "
Huang Yingxian pointed out that as a South Pacific partner, Australia is more suitable than China.She said: "We want to show it to Fiji and other countries that we are trustworthy and reliable partners. Over the years, we have always been like this." She pointed to Australia with development assistance to the Pacific Island country many times for decades.
Huang Yingxian also said that in the climate issue, the past Australian government ignored the responsibility.She said that Australia will no longer disrespect the Pacific country and ignores their request to take action to deal with climate change.
