by Richard Butler | 29 Jan 2019 | Live & Work
Richard Butler | from Defence Connect | 29 Jan 2019
Angus Campbell, AO, DSC, has travelled to Vanuatu, Tonga, Fiji and the Solomon Islands, building on the Prime Minister’s recent tour of the region to strengthen Australia’s position in the Pacific.
GEN Campbell was accompanied by the Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police, Andrew Colvin APM OAM, Commissioner of the Australian Border Force, Michael Outram APM and the Deputy Director-General of the Australian Security Read more [...]
by Richard Butler | 13 Dec 2018 | Live & Work
Richard Butler | RNZ News | 13 Dec 2018
The United States has joined a regional infrastructure development group which offers Pacific countries an alternative to Chinese finance for big projects.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) announced yesterday the US was adding its expertise and financial clout to the Pacific Region Infrastructure Facility (PRIF).
PRIF’s ADB co-ordinator Rob Jauncey said the infrastructure requirements of the Pacific region were upwards of US$3 billlion per annum.
This Read more [...]
by Richard Butler | 22 Sep 2018 | News
Vanuatu PM hails bilateral ties with China
Richard Butler | Xinhua | 22 Sept 2018
Vanuatu Prime Minister Charlot Salwai has hailed the island nation's good relationship with China, saying that China-Vanuatu relations will continue to grow from strength to strength.
Speaking at a reception held on Friday night in the Vanuatu capital city of Port Vila by the Chinese embassy on the occasion of the 69th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, Salwai said Vanuatu-China Read more [...]
by Richard Butler | 17 Aug 2018 | News
Richard Butler | Xinhua | Aug 17th 2018
CHINA finally seems to have completed its coming of age, and now has the power and money to disrupt diplomatic relations around the world.
After decades of taking its neighbours for granted, Australia is starting to wake up to China’s potential to dominate the Pacific region.
The superpower has been splashing its cash and growing its influence in the region at the same time as Australia’s assistance has stalled.
Now some experts warn China Read more [...]
by Richard Butler | 17 Aug 2018 | Live & Work
Richard Butler | Xinhuanet | Aug 17th 2018
PORT VILA (VANUATU), Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- The 11th "Chinese Bridge", the Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign Secondary School Students in Vanuatu Division was held on Friday in the Confucius Classroom at the Emalus campus of the University of the South Pacific with the participation of 15 students.
The 15 contestants were from Central School, Vila East School and Malapoa College. The top two winners will be travelling to China to represent Read more [...]
