China may try to weaken Pacific policing deal

Significance

Loosely modelled on frameworks including EUROPOL and AMERIPOL, the initiative aims to boost cooperation on tackling cross-border organised crime and responding to political or social upheaval. However, Pacific disunity and systemic policing challenges risk undermining its crime-fighting capabilities.

Impacts

• Partnerships to combat cross-border crimes offer the best chance to foster collaboration.
• The cultural and ethnic differences that are undermining the PIF may reduce PPI participation.
• Beijing may exploit concerns that the PIF is being distracted from its focus on climate change.