Commentary
The “great powers of the Pacific”—such as the United States, China, Australia, and others—have relinquished control over the Pacific, particularly the South Pacific, due to varying approaches resulting in varying degrees of paternalistic diplomacy.
Regional states have grown weary of the major powers, becoming restless in their roles as dependent societies and taking matters into their own hands, despite their lack of significant economic, population, and military resources. They are starting to reconsider their future strategic calculations, assuming that the “great powers” will never truly understand the needs of the local states they promise to protect and assist.
The Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) nations, which include Australia and New Zealand, along with the Melanesian Spearhead Group, desire trade and friendship with their “great power” partners but have lost hope that these powers will prioritize their needs. While Australia and the United States have struggled to align their aid with Pacific Island states’ priorities, China’s investments often come with strategic implications.
Fiji, under the leadership of Sitiveni Rabuka, has taken the initiative to reshape the strategic capabilities of the PIF region, introducing the “Ocean of Peace” concept at the United Nations General Assembly in September 2023. This concept has evolved into a regional commitment to cooperation, oceanic and territorial protection, and regional security, without the direct involvement of the major powers.
As Fiji works towards establishing the Ocean of Peace as a strategic geopolitical bloc, it is taking unilateral steps that will likely be discussed further at the next Pacific Islands Forum in 2025. One such initiative includes the development of a disaster response vessel that can swiftly aid neighboring nations in times of crisis.
This vessel, equipped with disaster response capabilities and serving as a neutral zone for peacekeeping activities, symbolizes Fiji’s proactive approach to regional security and prosperity. By exploring innovative energy solutions, such as marine micromodular reactors, Fiji aims to reduce its dependence on imported diesel fuel and promote sustainability in the region.
Prime Minister Rabuka envisions the Ocean of Peace as a transformative force in the region, providing a sense of “wellness” akin to sailing into peaceful waters after navigating turbulent seas. This concept, if realized, could potentially integrate into broader 21st-century alliances and enhance regional cooperation and stability.
At its core, the Ocean of Peace region stands as one of the world’s largest and most crucial oceanic territories, holding sway over valuable seabed resources, fisheries, and key sea lanes essential for global trade and access to the Antarctic. The significance of this concept cannot be overlooked.
Please note that the opinions expressed in this article belong to the author and may not necessarily align with those of The Epoch Times.
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