US President Joe Biden.Photo: VCG

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape stated on Sunday that his nation does not deserve to be labelled cannibals, blaming previous comments by US President Joe Biden who had "appeared to imply his uncle was eaten by cannibals after his plane was shot down over PNG during WWII."

Although Biden's statement was quickly clarified by the White House, such "slip of the tongue" reveals a person's true thoughts. The label "cannibals," which often represents uncivilized and backwardness, reflects how Western countries see the developing countries. "It evidently shows the US' inherent disdain and disrespect for PNG, and even the entire Pacific island region," Ning Tuanhui, an assistant research fellow at the China Institute of International Studies, told the Global Times. In February 2022, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Fiji in a rushed manner. Acting Fijian Prime Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum bluntly said there was a general feeling in Pacific island countries that "Washington is talking about us, not talking to us."

The Pacific island nations and their people deserve respect and aspire to have a better life. Taking PNG as an example, however, the US has shown no sincerity in resolving historical issues to improve the lives of the local people. On Sunday, in addition to responding to Biden's comments, Marape urged the US to clear up the remnants of WWII littered across the Pacific. "PNG's people were needlessly dragged into a conflict that was not of their doing," said Marape. "The country remains littered with wartime human remains, plane wrecks, ship wrecks and tunnels, as well as leftover bombs that were still killing people."

Last year, the US and PNG signed the Defense Cooperation Agreement, sparking protests in several universities across the country. Islanders said what PNG really needs are beneficial economic treaties and agreements, not security treaties. Former PNG prime minister Peter O'Neill pointed out that parts of the agreement threaten the country's sovereignty, and the US is doing it for the protection of its own national interest. "There are no specifics of what benefit is coming," said O'Neill.

Seeking political influence, instrumentalizing and weaponizing state relations, and manipulating countries as the ultimate purpose of international interactions are the common styles of Western countries, especially the US, Chen Hong, a professor and executive director of Asia Pacific Studies Centre at East China Normal University, told the Global Times. This has led more South Pacific nations, including PNG, Solomon Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia to choose independent diplomacy and develop mutually beneficial relationships with China. "Mutual respect and mutual understanding are the keys to achieving mutual benefit," said Chen.

The relationships and cooperation between China and the Pacific island nations should be determined by the Pacific island nations themselves — as Marape stated, PNG is "blessed" regarding the recent visit of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Wang also said on Sunday that China will become the most reliable partner in the development journey of PNG, and is ready to quicken negotiations of a free trade agreement with PNG, as well as boost cooperation in various fields.  

China has always been ready to work with willing developed countries to carry out cooperation in Pacific island countries for win-win results. However, instead of participating, the West seems more inclined to continuously bring out old-fashioned rumors and rhetoric such as "debt traps" and "competition for influence between the US and China" to vehemently smear the cooperation between China and the Pacific island nations.

China has never intended to create or expand its so-called influence anywhere. Its relationship with the Pacific island nations is part of global partnership. China gains genuine support from the Pacific island nations because it values respect, cooperation and tangible construction. China's assistance to Pacific island countries has always been free of political conditions and impositions, and China has never paid lip service but carries out cooperation in sectors such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, employment and climate that matter to people's livelihoods. 

The US' disdain for the Pacific island countries is ingrained. Over the years, US' attention to the South Pacific has been based on countering the so-called growing regional influence of China, not out of genuine concern and desire to help the development of the islands. US' interaction with them displays a condescending attitude, with the real intention being to use them as pawns against China. Bullying interactions ultimately fail to win hearts, and the US' geopolitical calculations are unlikely to achieve their ultimate goals.