Vanuatu university holds 11th Chinese Proficiency Competition

Vanuatu university holds 11th Chinese Proficiency Competition

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 [...]
Top leaders of Vanuatu laud Chinese hospital ship’s visit

Top leaders of Vanuatu laud Chinese hospital ship’s visit

Richard Butler | Xinhua | July 28th 2018 SUVA, July 28 (Xinhua) -- Top leaders of Vanuatu, expressed appreciation for a Chinese naval hospital ship's visit, saying it demonstrated the profound friendship between Vanuatu and China. The Chinese naval hospital ship Ark Peace, which is on Mission Harmony - 2018, arrived in Port Vila, capital of Vanuatu on Monday for humanitarian medical service. "As many citizens of Vanuatu are unable to afford the medical cost, they cannot be effectively treated Read more [...]
US troops to begin aid mission on Vanuatu island

US troops to begin aid mission on Vanuatu island

Richard Butler | Stripes.com | July 14th 2018 U.S. troops will conduct humanitarian operations next week on a South Pacific island that, some have speculated, is eyed by China as a potential overseas military base. About 65 U.S. troops will provide humanitarian assistance to Vanuatu during Operation Pacific Angel, which runs July 16 to 21, Pacific Air Forces announced Thursday. In April Vanuatu’s government denied reports that it was talking to Beijing about building a Chinese military Read more [...]
Australia’s Pacific Island Myopia Overreacting to China’s presence in the Pacific Islands is undermining Australia’s image in the region

Australia’s Pacific Island Myopia Overreacting to China’s presence in the Pacific Islands is undermining Australia’s image in the region

Richard Butler | Stripes.com | July 14th 2018 This year has seen intense scrutiny of Chinese aid to Pacific island countries by the Australian media. The focus of coverage has been on a range of perceived “threats” emanating from China. These include the leverage associated with Pacific Island debt to China, and security and military implications of Chinese-funded infrastructure such as wharf facilities. For a region accustomed to being ignored by the Australian press, it is a big change Read more [...]
Put this on your Bucket list

Put this on your Bucket list

By CHEYENNE MACDONALD FOR DAILYMAIL.COM  and AUSTRALIAN ASSOCIATED PRESS | July 10th 2018 A helicopter pilot has shared hair-raising footage of the view just above the mouth of a bubbling volcano. In a jaw-dropping video shared by Vanuatu Helicopters this week, Pilot Andy Martin’s legs can be seen dangling over the massive Benbow Crater on Ambrym Island. The minute-long video shows a glimpse into the terrifying lava lake at the heart of the crater, which sits atop one of the many active Read more [...]