Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s 10-day tour of Pacific island states shows that China is striving to increase its presence in the region. This is the case in Kiribati, among others. Wang signed, on May 27, in Tarawa, the capital, documents establishing cooperation to build infrastructure and fight against climate change. “Helping developing countries is helping China itself,” he said, according to a Foreign Office statement.
Wang further lashed out at the United States and its allies, such as Australia, which have long wielded influence in the region. “The United States and its accomplices always devote their energy to deliberately blocking China’s development,” he assured.
A stone’s throw from Hawaii
The cooperation between China and Kiribati attracted attention when it was learned that the former could provide financial assistance for the realization of a feasibility study relating to the rehabilitation of the airfield of Abariringa atoll, also known as Canton. This narrow strip of land is 3,000 kilometers from Hawaii, where the US military command for the Indo-Pacific region is headquartered – a relatively short distance in this vast, sparsely populated region.
The Kiribati government has acknowledged the existence of the project, but disputed Reuters’ coverage of the matter, saying it was misleading: the track is said to be intended “exclusively for civilian use” and will have to “promote commercial flights between Tarawa, the capital”, and the other islands. The atoll has only a few dozen inhabitants and it is difficult to see the economic benefits that the rehabilitation of the aerodrome would bring them.
Like the Solomon Islands, Kiribati broke with Taiwan and established relations
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Nikkei Asia (Tokyo)Known as Nikkei Asian Review until September 2020, the magazine Nikkei Asia maintains the same editorial line. A rigorous coverage of Asia which underlines the interest of the Japanese group Nikkei on the region. Reports, analyses, surveys – especially economic ones – make this publication a valuable source for following the news. In addition to monitoring the news on the site, the title offers a weekly publication. way to Nikkei to diversify by offering content in English.
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