Macron visits island states: “France is an Indo-Pacific power!”

Macron this week visited the archipelago of New Caledonia, which belongs to France, and two island states in the Chinese sphere of influence, namely Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea. In doing so, he wants to make France’s voice heard in a region that has already become a major geopolitical battleground for China and the United States.

Macron also wants to demonstrate that France is an Indo-Pacific power. “France is an Indo-Pacific power!” tweeted the French President at the start of his trip.

Macron’s trip to Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and New Caledonia, which began Monday, comes at a time when French forces are participating in massive US-Australian military exercises in the region. The major multinational military exercise “Talisman Saber” in Australia is intended to send a message to China that US allies are working together in “defending their security and democratic values”.

France feels directly “challenged” by China’s increasing influence in the region. 1.6 million French live in the region. From New Caledonia to Futuna to French Polynesia, France has extensive maritime and economic zones near Chinese zones of influence. Paris, through its “overseas territories”, is directly affected by the growing tensions in the region.

In New Caledonia, the third referendum in December 2021 secured France’s status, but did not lift the political blockade. The independence movement boycotted the referendum and continues to question the result. According to French intelligence, China supports the local independence movement.

France has had an uninterrupted presence in the region since the 19th century, thanks to its colonial history and continued control over territories of 1.5 million people and around 7,000 soldiers throughout the Indo-Pacific.

France feels directly “challenged” by China’s increasing influence in the region. 1.6 million French live in the region. From New Caledonia to Futuna to French Polynesia, France has extensive maritime and economic zones near Chinese zones of influence. Paris, through its “overseas territories”, is directly affected by the growing tensions in the region.

In New Caledonia, the third referendum in December 2021 secured France’s status, but did not lift the political blockade. The independence movement boycotted the referendum and continues to question the result. According to French intelligence, China supports the local independence movement.

France has had an uninterrupted presence in the region since the 19th century, thanks to its colonial history and continued control over territories of 1.5 million people and around 7,000 soldiers throughout the Indo-Pacific.

More on the topic – Between delusion and hubris – the “National Security Strategy”