Macron denounces “the new imperialism” in the Pacific

During his visit to Vanuatu, French President Emmanuel Macron denounced this Thursday the “new imperialism” in the Pacific, a region where the United States and China compete for influence, reports AFP.

“In the Indo-Pacific, and particularly in Oceania, a new imperialism and a logic of power is emerging that threatens the sovereignty of several States, the smallest, often the most fragile,” declared the president during his speech.

Speaking about France’s strategy in the region, Macron emphasized that Paris’ highest priority focuses on “defending through partnerships the independence and sovereignty of all countries in the region” that are willing to collaborate.

China and the US face each other in the Indo-Pacific in a struggle for influence, seeking to expand their military and strategic presence. At the beginning of July, the Asian giant signed an agreement to intensify interaction with the Solomon Islands in areas such as security, trade and internal politics.

For its part, the United States drafted a security pact with Papua New Guinea in May that provides for the increase of Washington’s military ties in the South Pacific. Meanwhile, China’s Foreign Ministry stated that it is not opposed to normal exchanges and equal and mutually beneficial cooperation, but warned against “geopolitical games.”

Regarding the ‘war of influence’, the French president indicated that he felt free to warn the island countries about the ambitions of the great powers, recognizing his country’s “colonial past here in Vanuatu.” Furthermore, Macron intends to reaffirm the importance of France as a “balancing power” in the region, although the realization of the Paris strategy was hampered by Australia’s refusal to buy French diesel submarines, opting for US nuclear submersibles. and the United Kingdom under the AUKUS agreement. With RT

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