Hegemonic regimes will use oppressive tactics on island countries in Pacifi

Honiara/Tonga: By mentioning the Russian attack on Ukraine and ongoing Chinese military exercises targeting Taiwan, US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman warned that some of the world’s hegemonic regimes might use oppression and coercion on island countries in the Pacific region. Sherman is currently on a tour of the Pacific region; this time, she visited Tonga and Solomon Islands island countries. US President Joe Biden will hold a special conference of Pacific Island countries next month. Sherman’s visit is considered important against this background.

China has been making expansionist moves in the Pacific region for the last few years. The Chinese ruling regime is making various enticements to gain control over the region’s strategically crucial small island nations. This includes billions of dollars of funding. Some countries have fallen prey to these crooked Chinese plans and have entered into various agreements with China. Countries like the Solomon Islands have also signed a security agreement with China, which is considered a big blow for the US and its allies.

Therefore, the United States and its allies have started strong diplomatic activities in this area to counter Chinese activities. In the last few months, senior officials of the United States and Australia have started visiting countries in the Pacific region. The current tour of Wendy Sherman is also a part of the same effort. During her tour, Sherman visited three Pacific Island countries: Samoa, Tonga and Solomon Islands. After that, she will also visit Australia and New Zealand, US allies in the region. The United States is trying to build a united front to prevent growing Chinese influence in the Pacific region. US officials informed that this tour is important for making this alliance stronger.

During her visit to the island nation of Tonga, Sherman highlighted the importance of the country’s strategic location. She pointed out that China is trying to increase its influence in this country due to this location. The US Secretary also pointed to the Chinese threat saying that Tonga’s future will be determined by Tonga, neither by China nor any other country. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman explained that the United States wants to partner with Tonga in the future, reminding that the United States fought World War II with Tonga.

In her visit to the Solomon Islands, Sherman mentioned the Second World War and retorted that some countries had forgotten the costs of war. Some countries do not want to learn from the past and believe in hollow and bankrupt concepts like coercion, oppression and violence. She also warned that they would have to fight against this in the future.