Map courtesy Sydney Morning Herald
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In the last 24 hours reports (see below) have been published about Vanuatu being in not completely verified preliminary talks with its main creditor, China, on possible future Chinese bases on Vanuatu. The positioning of a Chinese naval bases there could isolate/blockade Australian east coast, New Zealand and France's New Caledonian shipping. At an air base Chinese air refueled bombers, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles based at Vanuatu could be a threat to Australia and New Zealand.
Vanuatu (also see CIA Factbook entry) is a tiny South Pacific nation of islands, with just over 270,000 people. Formerly called the New Hebrides, Vanuatu gained independence from Britain and France in 1980. Vanuatu is a poor country, reliant on aid and loans (including from China). Vanuatu's main industries are low levels of agriculture, tourism, offshore financial services, and raising cattle.
COMMENT
Western governments are opposing alleged Chinese basing intentions with the argument "China is Militarising the Pacific"
This forgets the US's massive Pacific naval and air bases at Guam (Mariana Islands), Pearl Harbour (Hawaii) as well as bases at Japan / Okinawa and in South Korea.
There are major Australian Pacific naval bases "Fleet Base East" Sydney Harbour and major New Zealand base at Devonport / Auckland.
On a more minor scale is France's stationing of two French Floreal class frigates in the South Pacific with one the Vendémiare at Noumea, New Caledonia (which is very near to Vanuatu), and the frigate Prairial based at Papeete, Tahiti.
China (only a possible coloniser since 1949) is late to Pacific island base colonising. Other powers (eg. US and France) have secured Pacific island bases, originally by force, for over a century. China's lateness does not make its right/claims illegitimate.
ARTICLES
Main article by Fairfax news (Sydney Morning Herald) most cited:
Main article by Fairfax news (Sydney Morning Herald) most cited:
Background article by Fairfax news (Sydney Morning Herald)
Two shorter articles by Australia's government owned ABC News:
Pete