Banning TikTok will make this all go away
The debate over banning foreign controlled social media has a new talking point, after the French government banned TikTok in its Pacific New Caledonia territory. The territory has recently seen intercommunal riots that have killed at least six.
The French government previously blamed the Chinese-owned platform for helping rioters organise and promote violence during riots last year in mainland France. Its reasons for banning TikTok in New Caledonia must be based on those reasons.
France has been trying to strengthen its hold on the Pacific territory against ongoing independence moves by indigenous Melanesians by changing local election laws to allow people who have lived in New Caledonia for 10 years to vote. This would mean that many French citizens living in mainland France, but with past ties to the island territory, would be allowed to vote in any independence referendums. Such voters would be unlikely to support independence.
The independence movement, the riots, and the influence of TikTok all have to be viewed within a broader geopolitical context.
China is keen to expand its influence in the Pacific region by aligning with "decolonisation" movements and doing deals with various island nations. Meanwhile Western powers are striving to bolster existing security arrangements there.
In 2022 China signed a "shock" security agreement with the Solomon Islands. Leaked excerpts from the treaty would allow the government of the Solomon Islands to request "Chinese assistance," including police, armed forces, and other law enforcement, raising concerns about a potential Chinese takeover of these strategically located islands.
China is keen to expand its influence in the Pacific region by aligning with "decolonisation" movements and doing deals with various island nations. Meanwhile Western powers are striving to bolster existing security arrangements there.
In 2022 China signed a "shock" security agreement with the Solomon Islands. Leaked excerpts from the treaty would allow the government of the Solomon Islands to request "Chinese assistance," including police, armed forces, and other law enforcement, raising concerns about a potential Chinese takeover of these strategically located islands.
Trouble in paradise
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