https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/a...isle-cdh36vl9z
Australia fears China’s military might on Pacific isle
China is in talks to build an airport, aircraft maintenance facilities and a shopping district on the strategically important island of Guadalcanal, extending its influence far into the Pacific. Guadalcanal is one of the impoverished Solomon Islands lying 2,000 miles northeast of Australia, and was a major Second World War battleground as the Allies fought to stop the Japanese advance across the Pacific......
There is concern within the Australian government about Chinese-funded infrastructure in Pacific nations that Beijing could put to military use. The Australian government paid A$100 million (£55 million) this year to build an undersea internet cable connecting the Solomon Islands with Sydney to stop the Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei from building it.......
Jonathan Pryke, director of the Lowy Institute’s Pacific Islands Program in Sydney, which has tracked Chinese investment, said: “This certainly raised the eyebrows of some people. It’s a large piece of infrastructure that could have dual-use purposes... There’s been no signal from any side that is the intent, but intent can change.”.......
Concerns over China’s investment across the Pacific, especially in Vanuatu, the former French and British controlled territory south of the Solomons, will be prominent when Australian ministers meet President Macron in Sydney. France has substantial overseas territories in the Pacific...... The Australian defence industry minister, Christopher Pyne, acknowledged China’s increased activity and said that Australia wanted to work with France in the Pacific. This is thought to mean that Australia will press France to broaden its activities in the region. In 2016, Australia awarded a €32 billion deal for submarines to France. French interests in the Pacific are extensive, from New Caledonia in the west to French Polynesia in the east. It has more than 3,000 military personnel in the region......
It is understood that the Chinese deal in Guadalcanal is being handled by Anthony Veke, the island’s premier, and Bradley Tovosia, the minister of mines. Mr Veke said that it was at an “early stage”.