Beijing has launched another tirade at New Zealand and the United States amid concerns about China’s growing influence in the Pacific.
The two leaders met in Washington on Tuesday where they discussed China’s emergence the region including potential plans to build a military base on the Solomon Islands.Stream more on politics with Flash. 25+ news channels in 1 place. New to Flash? Try 1 month free. Offer ends 31 October, 2022
The senior communist official defended China’s position in the Pacific amid attempts to secure a security deal with up to 10 nations in the region and similar pacts being signed with Samoa and the Solomon Islands. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian attends a news conference on December 20, 2021 in Beijing, China. Picture: Getty Images
“China urges the US to abandon its Cold War mentality and ideological bias, stop interfering in China’s internal affairs and stop slandering and discrediting China,” he said. The Albanese Government has sent its top diplomat to the South Pacific to reaffirm Australia’s commitment to the region.