China, Australia donate buildings, airstrips in Pacific influence race

China has donated a presidential building complex in Vanuatu while Australia and New Zealand inaugurated an airfield worth A$55 million (US$36.55 million) in neighbouring Solomon Islands, amid competition for influence in the Pacific Islands region.

New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters was in the Solomon Islands on Tuesday to hand over the airfield in Western Province, funded by New Zealand and Australia.

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele, also at the ceremony, is expected to travel soon to China, after visiting Australia last week on his first overseas visit in the role.

Manele told media after returning to the nation on Saturday that the Solomon Islands had asked Australia to fund the recruitment of local police over the next decade, so the nation could “look after ourselves” for domestic security.

The Solomon Islands has security ties with China and Australia, although the new government elected in April is reviewing its security arrangements, Manele said.

Hu Chunhua, vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, took part in a ceremony in Vanuatu on Monday to hand over a presidential office, and finance and foreign ministry buildings built by China in Vanuatu’s capital Port Vila on Monday.