Page 15 - IB September 2024

Forum Leaders Meeting Forum Leaders Meeting

Tongan dancers entertain at the summit. Photo: Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Guterres (far right) with (L-R) Prime Minister of Tonga and incoming Forum Chair,
Hu’akavemeiliku Siaosi Sovaleni; Forum Secretary General, Baron Waqa; and Papua
New Guinea’s Prime Minister, James Marape.

Pacific region, which had improved in the years since the Qian Bo told Islands Business that “our policy is we never
end of French nuclear testing in 1996 and the signing of the interfere in internal affairs of any countries. We hope and
Noumea Accord in 1998. we trust that the central government of France and the local
“French Polynesia and New Caledonia becoming full government will deal with the issue in a very appropriate
members of the Forum was part of this image rebuilding of manner, which is acceptable to all.”
France in the region,” Brotherson said. “But now, all the Under Mao Tse Tung, the Communist Party of China
heads of states and Prime Ministers that I met were saying, condemned Western colonialism and advocated for the rights
‘Gosh, we are seeing the comeback of colonial France. We of oppressed and colonised peoples – those days are long
had forgotten about it, but we are seeing it again’. gone! In Nuku’alofa, the PRC Special Envoy noted: “Over the
“The damage to this image is especially to the Indo-Pacific years, particularly in the 1970s, we support those countries
Strategy that [French] President [Emannuel] Macron is so fond in the region to be independent, based on their own will. But
of,” he added. this is a domestic issue of France, and we respect this is an
“The basic premise of the Strategy would be that France internal issue.”
would be perceived as a power for peace and balance in the
region, which is not what we’re seeing at the moment. So, Action on regional agendas
it’s going to be very hard for France, for President Macron, In speeches and press conferences during the week,
to sustain this wish that he has to support this Indo-Pacific Prime Minister of Tonga, Hu’akavemeiliku Siaosi Sovaleni –
Strategy.” the incoming Forum Chair – placed a notable emphasis on
In the final communique, Leaders announced that a Forum+ bread-and-butter issues like health, education, economic
Troika of four Prime Ministers—from Tonga, Cook Islands, development and community resilience.
Solomon Islands and Fiji—will travel to New Caledonia, with Indeed, the themes of vulnerability and resilience were
dates to be finalised soon. played out in real time. On the opening day, torrential
As French nationals and wealthy New Caledonians begin rain drowned the arriving delegations and a 6.9 magnitude
to leave the islands, neighbours like Australia and Vanuatu earthquake rattled buildings and Tongan hearts, still reeling
are closely monitoring the fallout from the conflict. French from the 2022 Hunga Tonga–Hunga Ha’apai eruption and
policy is also being watched by governments in Beijing, Tokyo tsunami.
and Seoul. Even as French President Macron seeks to increase As delegates arrived, downtown Nuku’alofa was still
nickel exports to France and the European Union, New adorned with bunting from July’s celebrations marking
Caledonia’s largest export markets remain as China, Korea the 65th birthday of King Tupou VI. It was notable that
and Japan. the King was absent for such an important regional event
Chinese companies are involved in joint venture projects (a reflection of past tensions with his Prime Minister and
with the SMSP mining company in New Caledonia’s Northern former Foreign Minister?). In Tupou VI’s place, Crown Prince
Province – now disrupted by the current economic crisis and Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala, Crown Princess Sinaitakala and Princess
the halt of operations at the KNS Koniambo smelter. The Angelika Lātūfuipeka Tuku’aho welcomed Forum leaders
People’s Republic of China (PRC) Special Envoy to Pacific and international delegations to the Kingdom. The presence
Island Countries, Qian Bo said, however, that “our trade of hundreds of school students at the opening ceremony,
relationship will continue. We’re also watching very closely, welcoming participants with song, chants and dance, signalled
but from our perspective, New Caledonia is an internal affair the hospitality that would follow throughout the week.
of France.” The summit was the first for Baron Waqa in his new role as

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