Quick access to main page (top) Direct access to main contents Quick access to main page (bottom)

Debt Diplomacy? China’s Strategic Investments Stir Unease in the Pacific

Daniel Kim Views  

Yonhap News

Vanuatu, a South Pacific nation struggling financially, is ready to move into a new building funded by China. Western countries are concerned about China’s growing influence over South Pacific nations.

A handover ceremony for the Presidential Palace was held on Tuesday in Port Vila, the capital of Vanuatu. Prime Minister Charlot Salwai announced the opening of the new Presidential Palace in front of the billboard reading “China Aid.” The project also included a new Ministry of Finance building and a renovation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building. The Chinese delegation was handed a large golden key engraved with “China Aid.”

Local media reported that hundreds of government workers will work in the new building rent-free. China has funded massive infrastructure upgrades across Vanuatu, including a landmark as a gift. The Chinese Ambassador, Li Minggang, said, “to step up pragmatic cooperation in this field.”

The Australian think tank Lowy Institute estimated that China spent over AUD 21 million on constructing the Vanuatu government building. This is significant for Vanuatu, which has a population of only 300,000. It is estimated that 40% of Vanuatu’s external debt is from the Export-Import Bank of China.

Western countries are concerned about China’s growing influence in the South Pacific. Recently, China has shown aggressive diplomatic policy toward South Pacific countries, including the embassy constructions in Tonga and the Solomon Islands. Experts have described this as “Debt-trap diplomacy.” AFP reported, “China has funded a series of major infrastructure upgrade projects in Vanuatu, part of China’s competition for influence with its Western rivals.”

Daniel Kim
content@viewusglobal.com

Comments0

300

Comments0

[ASIA] Latest Stories

  • North Korea Buried in April Snow—Experts Warn of Major Crop Damage After Climate Shock
  • North Korea’s Smartest Teens Are Being Dragged Into the Military—Here’s Why
  • North Korea Opens Its First Internet Café—and Kim Jong Un Brings His Daughter
  • Vietnam Cracks Down on Imports to Avoid U.S. Tariff Backlash
  • Hyundai Ioniq 5 N Time Spec Breaks Tsukuba Circuit Record, Cementing EV Performance Legacy
  • North Korea Sends Young Volunteers to Dangerous Jobs Under the Guise of Voluntary Participation

You May Also Like

  • 1
    Scabies in the Dorms? Here’s How Fast It Can Spread

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 2
    Drank Last Night? Here's Why Skipping the Gym Might Be Smarter

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 3
    Think Twice Before Adding Water to Your Shampoo Bottle—Here’s Why

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 4
    Can Balancing Blood Sugar Help You Lose Weight? Here's Why it Matters

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 5
    Scientists Find Brain Switch That Could Help Reverse Memory Loss

    LIFESTYLE 

Popular Now

  • 1
    Hugh Jackman Did It for Wolverine. Can You Do It for Your Waistline?

    LIFESTYLE&nbsp

  • 2
    Fake Beer, Real Buzz? What to Know Before You Sip That Zero-Proof Brew

    LIFESTYLE&nbsp

  • 3
    Trump Drops 20 Pounds but Still Loves His Fast Food

    LIFESTYLE&nbsp

  • 4
    New Blood Test Could Spot Alzheimer’s Early—With 92% Accuracy

    LIFESTYLE&nbsp

  • 5
    Study Finds Link Between Irregular Heartbeat and Early Dementia

    LIFESTYLE&nbsp

Must-Reads

  • 1
    Scabies in the Dorms? Here’s How Fast It Can Spread

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 2
    Drank Last Night? Here's Why Skipping the Gym Might Be Smarter

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 3
    Think Twice Before Adding Water to Your Shampoo Bottle—Here’s Why

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 4
    Can Balancing Blood Sugar Help You Lose Weight? Here's Why it Matters

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 5
    Scientists Find Brain Switch That Could Help Reverse Memory Loss

    LIFESTYLE 

Popular Now

  • 1
    Hugh Jackman Did It for Wolverine. Can You Do It for Your Waistline?

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 2
    Fake Beer, Real Buzz? What to Know Before You Sip That Zero-Proof Brew

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 3
    Trump Drops 20 Pounds but Still Loves His Fast Food

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 4
    New Blood Test Could Spot Alzheimer’s Early—With 92% Accuracy

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 5
    Study Finds Link Between Irregular Heartbeat and Early Dementia

    LIFESTYLE