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Opinion

it is, ADB is already in that business. It presupposes more. The rivalry, competition, ‘partnership rather than confrontation.’ The
bank’s Asian Development Fund already offers concessional loans inconsistencies are particularly worrisome. On balance, when
and grants and technical assistance to lower-income develop- these statements are viewed against specific actions to counter
ing member countries. Further, it enjoys the capacity to convert China, there are reasons for pessimism about the prospects of
concessional loans to grants should economic and financial Indo-Pacific.
conditions demand such conversion. Samoa has already ben- Nakao’s interest would have been piqued by the paradoxes
efited from such concession in January 2018 following a series relating to Indo-Pacific and how an ADB member country was
of environmental disasters that struck that country. faring in the cross-fire that has ensued.
The quintessence of Nakao’s visit was what was left unsaid, China joined the ADB in 1986. It created its own Asian Infra-
but it raised serious questions about the coherence of our regional structure Investment Bank (AIIB) in January 2016. Prior to that
approach in the context of the Indo-Pacific, especially the various in 2013, China initiated its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). To date,
funding proposals that have emerged in the name of this imposed nine Pacific Islands Forum members have signed onto the BRI.
political construct. The latest report from the Cook Islands, one of the signatory-PIF
Australia, one of the architects of Indo-Pacific, joined Japan members, revealed a statement in a “US intelligence report accus-
and USA at the APEC meeting in Port Moresby last Novem- ing China of currying favour with Pacific countries through bribery
ber to announce their ‘Trilateral Partnership for Infrastructure and infrastructure investments.” The Cook Islands Deputy Prime
Investment for the Indo-Pacific.’ Prime Minister Morrison did Minister, Mark Brown, reaffirmed the utility of its BRI projects
clarify that financing from this source is essentially loans that and underscored that these projects were not able to be financed
are bankable. India, a fellow Quad member, was left out of the by traditional development partners.
Trilateral Partnership. President Nakao is back in Manila. His unsaid message remains
Not long after that, Prime Minister Morrison announced a loud and clear, the ADB is the region’s top development bank. It
further A$3 billion (US$2.12 billion) Pacific Infrastructure can accommodate all our needs, notwithstanding those funds cre-
Bank, comprising A$2 billion financial facility: Infrastructure ated specifically for climate change activities and for which ADB
Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP) - for loans and grants will mobilis e co-financing. There is no need for more. For the
for transport, telecommunications, energy and water projects. Indo-Pacific, ADB remains relevant. It remains committed to the
The balance of A$1 billion will be disbursed through the Export region and stands ready to work with all its 15 Forum members
Finance Corporation (EFIC), to encourage more Australian firms in the execution of the region’s Blue Pacific narrative that seeks
to invest in the Pacific. strategic autonomy in the context of a region that is becoming
This funding is aimed at countering China’s influence in the complex and geopolitically-charged.
southwest Pacific, and there’s the rub!
Statements from both Australia and USA are mixed: anti- • The author is a former Fijian ambassador and Foreign Minister
China sentiments as against those infused with a veil of friendly and runs his own consultancy company in Suva, Fiji.

TRADE MARK CAUTIONARY NOTICE IN COOK ISLANDS TRADE MARK CAUTIONARY NOTICE IN NAURU
Notice is hereby given that ASICS Corporation, a Japanese corporation of 1-1 American International Group, Inc., a United States corpora-
Minatojima-Nakamachi 7-chome, Chuo-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan, tion organised under the laws of the state of Delaware, of 176
TRADE MARK CAUTIONARY NOTICE
is the sole proprietor in Cook Islands and elsewhere of the following trade mark: IN
Water Street, New York, New York 10038, United States of
NAURU
ASICS America, does hereby provide notice that it claims proprietor-

ship of the trade mark
American International Group, Inc., a United States corporation organised under the laws
of the state of Delaware, of 176 Water Street, New York, New York 10038, United States
Used in respect of:- of America, does hereby provide notice that it claims proprietorship of the trade mark

Class: 18 Sports bags, waist bags, shoulder bags, clutch bags, tote bags,
hand bags, duffle bags, boston bags, traveling bags, laundry bags, shoe bags,
knapsacks, rucksacks, cases, brief cases, attaché cases, suit cases, trunks, bags in relation to:
with wheels, pouches, purses, wallets, parasols, umbrellas, walking sticks Financial services; monetary services; insurance services; real estate services
in relation to:
Class: 24 Fabric, textile material, clothing knitted fabric, fabrics for textile use, American International Group, Inc. cautions that any use of the trade mark or any
confusingly similar trade mark in relation to any of services or similar services, would be
elastic woven material, non-woven textile fabrics, handkerchiefs of textile, seen as infringement of their rights and that they will take such action deemed necessary
Financial services; monetary services; insurance services;
towels of textile, face towels of textile to protect those rights.

real estate services
American International Group, Inc. can be contacted care of their address for service:
Class: 25 Clothing, footwear, headgear
AJ Park, Level 22, Aon Centre, 1 Willis Street, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
Class: 28 Games and playthings; gymnastic and sporting articles American International Group, Inc. cautions that any use of
the trade mark or any confusingly similar trade mark in rela-
The said proprietor claims all rights in respect of the above trade mark and will tion to any of services or similar services, would be seen as
take all necessary legal steps against any person or company infringing their infringement of their rights and that they will take such action
said rights.
deemed necessary to protect those rights.
DAVIES COLLISON CAVE PTY LTD American International Group, Inc. can be contacted care of
Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys their address for service:
1 Nicholson Street, Melbourne, Vic, 3000, Australia
Telephone: +61 3 9254 2777 • Facsimile: +61 3 9254 2770
E-mail: egodfrey@davies.com.au AJ Park, Level 22, Aon Centre, 1 Willis Street, Wellington
DCC Ref: 35231061/EKG 6011, New Zealand
Islands Business, March 2019 29

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