China deploys ‘security forces’ to another WWII battleground state
China Sends “Police Delegation Team” to Kiribati, Raising Concerns
China has recently dispatched a ”police delegation team” to Kiribati, a Pacific island state, causing alarm among U.S. and allied officials who are troubled by Beijing’s growing influence in the waterways between Australia and Hawaii.
Australian lawmaker Pat Conroy, the minister for the Pacific and international development, expressed his concerns, stating, “We are aware that they are seeking a greater security role in the Pacific, and we have been consistent in our view that there is no role for China in policing, or broader security, in the Pacific.”
China has been making continuous efforts to expand its presence in the eastern region of Australia, including countries like the Solomon Islands, which hold strategic significance due to the historical clash at Guadalcanal during World War II. The revelation of China’s presence in Kiribati, a place where American forces fought their way to imperial Japan, immediately drew a response from officials and lawmakers in Washington.
Marines on Tarawa, a stronghold in the Gilbert Islands wrested from the Japanese, read the Tarawa Times Bulletin Boarder, “the latest dope of the war” on Dec. 7, 1943. (AP Photo)
Representative Neal Dunn (R-FL), a member of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, warned, “If we don’t engage more with our Pacific partners like Kiribati to counter this CCP malign influence, we could face serious trade and national security issues,” in an interview with Voice of America.
About a dozen Chinese law enforcement officials have been deployed to Kiribati, with the purpose of assisting in community policing, martial arts (Tai Chi) Kung Fu, and the IT department’s crime database program, according to acting police commissioner Eeri Aritiera.
Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) expressed his concerns on social media, stating, “China is now infiltrating Kiribati as they lend security ‘help’ through apparent community policing and a crime database program. This is a Trojan Horse. Communist China will stop at nothing to make inroads in a sovereign nation.”
Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s team echoed these concerns, stating, “We do not believe importing security forces from the PRC will help any Pacific Island country. Instead, doing so risks fueling regional and international tensions,” according to a spokesperson from the State Department.
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Why are U.S. and allied officials alarmed by the presence of Chinese police officers in Kiribati and what potential risks does it pose to the security and stability of the region
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The delegation team consists of Chinese police officers and officials who will be stationed in Kiribati for an extended period of time. Although the mission of the team has not been explicitly stated, the move has raised suspicions among officials who fear that China is using its police presence as a way to exert its influence and extend its control over the region.
China has been assertively expanding its presence in the Pacific region in recent years. Through its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China has been investing heavily in infrastructure projects in several Pacific island nations. These investments have often come with strings attached, such as strategic influence and control over key assets, which has raised concerns among Western nations.
In addition to its economic investments, China has also been increasing its military presence in the region. It has been building and militarizing artificial islands in the South China Sea, which has been a source of tension between China and its neighbors, including the United States. By sending a police delegation to Kiribati, China is further expanding its presence and potentially preparing the ground for future military activities in the region.
The presence of Chinese police officers in Kiribati has alarmed U.S. and allied officials because it gives China the ability to gather intelligence, monitor activities, and exert political pressure on the island nation. This has led to concerns that Kiribati could become a potential staging ground for future Chinese military operations, posing a threat to the security and stability of the region.
The United States and its allies have expressed their concerns over China’s growing influence in the Pacific region. They have been actively increasing their engagements with Pacific island nations to counterbalance China’s influence and ensure the region remains open and free from coercion.
Australia, in particular, has been strengthening its ties with Pacific island nations through increased aid, development partnerships, and defense cooperation. It has also been vocal in its opposition to China’s activities in the region, including its military build-up and presence.
In response to China’s police delegation team, Australia has called for transparency and accountability in the operations of the delegation. It has urged Kiribati to ensure that the team’s activities are in line with international norms and do not compromise the sovereignty and security of the region.
The presence of a Chinese police delegation in Kiribati highlights the growing competition for influence in the Pacific region between China and its Western rivals. It also underscores the need for countries in the region to carefully consider the implications of accepting foreign assistance and investments and to ensure that their sovereignty and security interests are protected.
As China’s influence continues to grow, it is crucial for the international community to remain vigilant and proactive in countering any attempts by China to undermine the security and stability of the Pacific region. Effective coordination and cooperation between like-minded nations are necessary to safeguard the interests of the smaller Pacific island nations and maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific.
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