10 Pacific island nations reject China security pact

 10 Pacific island nations reject China security pact

• Ten Pacific Island nations have rebuffed China’s push for a wide-ranging regional security pact. This marks a diplomatic setback for China which has been trying to assert its presence in the South Pacific, directly challenging the influence of the United States and its allies in the strategically vital region.
• China had offered to train Pacific Island police, collaborate in the areas of cybersecurity and marine mapping along with the expansion of political ties. China had also offered millions of dollars in financial aid apart from proposals for a free trade agreement. However, Pacific leaders have serious misgivings about
  
  
  the offer and fear interference of China in their internal affairs and Chinese economic control.