The government of Vanuatu is about to occupy a set of new buildings funded by China, which includes a sweeping new presidential palace, a new finance ministry, and renovations to the foreign affairs department. The project signifies a milestone in the increasingly warm relationship between China and Vanuatu. However, it also raises concerns about Beijing’s influence in the South Pacific nation. China has invested significantly—estimated at over US$21 million—in this aid project for a country with a population of less than 300,000. While China emphasizes friendly cooperation with Pacific island countries, critics worry about the potential risks of “debt-trap diplomacy” faced by Vanuatu and other nations in the region. Australia, too, has been closely monitoring developments in the Pacific, as evidenced by its security treaty discussions with Vanuatu. The delicate balance of geopolitical interests continues to shape the region’s dynamics.
NEW: The government of cash-strapped Vanuatu will soon settle into a suite of new buildings funded by China, a move likely to reignite concerns about Beijing’s reach in the South Pacific nation t.co/MuQOB3BgQC pic.twitter.com/v9Fm1LsHl2
— Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) July 2, 2024