The latest Chinese development projects in the South Pacific have left Australian security experts nervous and locals scratching their heads.
This Sunday in a special 60 Minutes, Tom Steinfort exposes China’s ever-expanding influence in the South Pacific region and investigates what it means for Australia’s regional security.
“The China Syndrome” airs tonight on 60 Minutes after The Voice Australia. For more on 60 Minutes, head to 9Now.
In recent years China’s Pacific policy has seen it appeal to penniless South Pacific nations by investing in infrastructure projects under the guise of aid.
But Australian security analyst Dr Malcolm Davis warns, what might seem like much needed economic assistance is part of an aggressive, expansionist tactic by the rising superpower.
In recent years China’s Pacific policy has seen it appeal to penniless South Pacific nations by investing in infrastructure projects under the guise of aid. Picture: 60 Minutes
Australian security analyst Dr Malcolm Davis warns what might seem like much needed economic assistance is part of an aggressive, expansionist tactic by the rising superpower. Picture: 60 Minutes
“What the Chinese tend to do is that they put heavy investment into countries that simply don’t have the means to pay back the debt,” Dr Davis told Steinfort.
“If China can get a country so deep in debt that it can’t pay back that debt, then they will take something else in return… (like a) port.”
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The warning comes after China last year took control of the major Sri Lankan port of Hambantota when the subcontinental country defaulted on its debt to China.
China now owns the port on a 99-year lease.
A taxi driver in Vanuatu’s capital Port Vila, William Taback voices his concern over the superfluous Chinese construction projects. Picture: 60 Minutes
These projects include a recently built convention centre, so big the government can’t even afford its electricity bills. Picture: 60 Minutes
“The projects (China) are investing in are too big for our country." Picture: 60 Minutes
Dr Davis believes China’s one-party government is now using similar power-wielding tactics in the South Pacific.
In recent years Vanuatu and Fiji have become host to vast Chinese infrastructure projects that many locals believe are not only unaffordable but unnecessary.
A taxi driver in Vanuatu’s capital Port Vila, William Taback voices his concern over the superfluous Chinese construction projects, which include a recently built convention centre, so big the government can’t even afford its electricity bills.
“The projects (China) are investing in are too big for our country,” Mr Taback told Steinfort.
In recent years Vanuatu and Fiji have become host to vast Chinese infrastructure projects that many locals believe are not only unaffordable but unnecessary. Picture: 60 Minutes
China is building a military-grade wharf 1500 nautical miles from Sydney. Picture: 60 Minutes
“Already we know that we borrow a lot of money from China.
“It’s too much, it’s too much.”
Tonight, Steinfort quizzes senior South Pacific politicians about rising Chinese influence in their nations.
His investigation will focus on the latest Chinese-backed mega-structure: a military-grade wharf just 1500 nautical miles from Sydney – which experts warn could pose a serious security risk to Australia’s eastern seaboard.
https://www.9news.com.au/national/2...ic-australia-sydney-expansion-investment-debt
Does China’s new South Pacific mega-wharf pose a risk to Australia?
The answer is yes.
