The global economic risks posed by the US-China rivalry and the new equations it has created in the field of security reveal the potential of this rivalry to change world politics. The increasingly intense competitive environment, especially since 2018, has led the parties to expand their cooperation networks. In this context, islands play an important role in the US strategy to contain China.
Islands are landmasses in the sea that are vital for the containment of the mainland. The reason why islands are so important is that they can militarily control all kinds of logistics of the region. For example, Taiwan Island is critical for the heavily used Taiwan Strait. For example, it is observed that the US navy still maintains its presence in the Taiwan Strait.
Although the Taiwan Strait is the most prominent example in this regard, it is also possible to mention the existence of other islands in the region that have turned into areas of contention in different periods. The most prominent of these areas is the Solomon Islands. After the country officially recognized China in 2019 , it turned into a scene of serious competition.[1]
The Solomon Islands’ rapprochement with China has disturbed the West in many ways. The most obvious example of this is the reaction of Western states to the security agreement it signed with China in 2022. Under the agreement, China will provide training to law enforcement officers in the country. [2] In July 2023, a new security agreement was signed between the Solomon Islands and China. . The US, Australia and New Zealand called on the Solomon Islands to disclose the contents of the agreement in detail. On July 17, 2023, Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manesseh Sogavare, who returned from his visit to China, stated that the US and Australia should not be afraid of the China-Solomon Islands security agreement . [3]
As can be seen, Solomon Islands is a state that cannot escape the influence of global competition due to its geographical location. Solomon Islands is an increasingly important actor for both the US and Western states and China.
Another manifestation of the islands politics was the Second Pacific Islands Leaders’ Meeting held at the White House on September 25, 2023. The Washington administration announced that it would diplomatically recognize the Cook Islands and Niue. It was also agreed that the US would provide $200 million worth of funding to the region and open an embassy in Vanuatu by 2024 . [4]
Another example of the growing US influence in the Pacific Islands is the US-Marshall Islands security pact. Under the pact signed on October 17, 2023 between Washington and Maguro, the United States will provide the country with economic aid worth $2.3 billion over a 20-year period and in return will have the right to block access to the 2.1 million kilometers of airspace surrounding the Marshall Islands. [5] . In this way, the US plans to block China’s access to the Western Pacific region.
To summarize, although the US-China rivalry emerged as a trade war in 2018, it has spread to many different areas in the five-year period until 2023. The smear campaign against “We Chat” and “TikTok” applications in the digital sphere and the chip wars are two of the most well-known examples of this situation. As a result, the US and China have almost the most influence over the Pacific. Therefore, the Pacific Islands could have a say in the future of global competition.
[1] “China, Solomon Islands Establish Diplomatic Relations”, Aljazeera, www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/9/21/china-solomon-islands-establish-diplomatic-relations, (Erişim Tarihi: 22.10.2023).
[2] Tarcisius Kabutaulaka, “China-Solomon Islands Security Agreement and Competition for Influence in Oceania”, Georgetown Journal of International Affairs, gjia.georgetown.edu/2022/12/02/china-solomon-islands-security-agreement-and-competition-for-influence-in-oceania/, (Erişim Tarihi: 22.10.2023).
[3] “Solomon Islands PM Returns From Beijing, Calls Australia ‘Unneighbourly’”, Reuters, ww.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/solomon-islands-pm-returns-beijing-calls-australia-unneighbourly-2023-07-17/, (Erişim Tarihi: 22.10.2023).
[4] “US Recognizes Cook Islands, Niue During Pacific Summit”, AA, www.aa.com.tr/en/americas/us-recognizes-cook-islands-niue-during-pacific-summit/3000826, (Erişim Tarihi: 25.09.2023).
[5] Jessica Stone, “US, Marshall Islands Sign Security Deal That Will Limit China’s Access to Western Pacific”, VoA, www.voanews.com/a/us-marshall-islands-sign-security-deal-that-will-limit-china-s-access-to-western-pacific-/7313989.html, (Erişim Tarihi: 22.10.2023).
