CHINA has reacted swiftly to President Donald Trump’s decision to remove funding from climate change organisations, including the South Pacific Regional Environment Programme.
In a smooth political move, China handed over a cheque for $USD200,000 to the Samoa-based leader on regional climate change advocacy, mitigation, and research.
While the money had been promised and allocated at the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Tonga two years ago, the actual handover came less than a week after the US announced its withdrawal from SPREP.
The US under Trump’s first and second administrations has consistently worked against climate change advocacy and mitigation efforts and continued to promote the use of non-renewable energy.
This is despite scientific evidence that rising global temperatures adversely affect the environment and are the leading cause of climate change events.
The United States announced it would no longer provide financial support for a swathe of organisations that advocate for efforts to protect the planet from the threat of climate change.
China’s move allowed the creation of a narrative that the funding would replace the money that the US would no longer provide. Some observers labelled the move as filling a void.
Realistically, the move was less of the filling of a void and more about choosing the right moment. On the regional geopolitical chessboard, Kit was a master stroke.
After the PIFS meeting in 2024, China’s Special Envoy to the Pacific, Qian Bo, announced that his country would provide $USD 200,000 in funding support to SPREP in that year.
While it took two years to hand over the money, it could not have happened at a better time for SPREP and China.
“This again demonstrates our sincerity and determination to help Pacific Island countries cope with climate change and achieve sustainable development,” said Fei Mingxing, China’s envoy to Samoa.
The US – until its latest withdrawal – provided 15 per cent of SPREP’s funding. That position is now held by China, which has reportedly set aside a further $USD362,000 in case it is needed by the Pacific.
Australia and New Zealand have remained silent over the US withdrawal of climate change funding.
China’s timing, as usual, has been impeccable. When traditional allies turned away from Fiji after Frank Bainimarama’s 2006 coup, the Chinese slipped into that role and gained a massive foothold in the Pacific.
Trump’s climate denial has allowed China another foothold in the middle of the Pacific. It’s not bad for the Pacific, but U.S. policymakers may live to rue their poor decisions.