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The Solomon Islands is a small, unstable, highly corrupt, Pacific islands
nation which for many decades has been heavily reliant on aid and security assistance from its
large southern neighbour, Australia, as well as from New Zealand.
In November 2021, there was mass rioting and unrest in the Solomons' capital Honiara. [97] Chinese shops in particular were targeted. The Solomons requested and received law and order assistance from Australia.[98]
But encouraged by bribes to top island politicians, the Solomons, in March 2022, signed an MoU on policing cooperation with China and later signed a security pact with
China. The agreement with China might allow an ongoing Chinese military and
naval presence in the Solomons.
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Papua New Guinea (PNG) is a large, unstable, highly corrupt, Pacific islands nation which for many decades has been heavily reliant on aid and security assistance from its large southern neighbour, Australia.
On Wednesday 10 January 2024 mass rioting and unrest in PNG's capital Port Moresby, later spread to PNG's second largest city, Lae and other cities. The unrest began following protests by security officers due to a perceived sudden reduction in their salaries. At least 22 people were killed.[1] China formally filed a complaint to the PNG government after several of its nationals were injured. Several Chinese-owned businesses were targeted in the riots.
PNG is rich in minerals and energy that China needs. Like many countries PNG is a recipient of Chinese infrastructure investment under China's Belt and Road Initiative including the redevelopment of the port and airport for Lae.[14]. PNG is
seeking investment from Chinese banks for a gas project as Australian banks don't appear to be sufficiently interested.
PNG has enjoyed since 2018 a comprehensive strategic partnership with China.
2 comments:
Hi Pete
From a french reader
A useful background explanation for the 3 consecutive negative refenrendae (over 20 years)for New Caledonia reqested by the Melanesian minority 45/55 .In the specific electroral college for this vote.Biased in Melanesian favor (declared by now inconstitutional by the Highest Fr Conqstitutional Court) instead of 35 to 40/65to 60.(In Fr you vote where you actually live after a year not your place of birth!)
Nobody knows really as it is illegal to enquire about ethnicity , religion,in census in France..In that particular census ,close to 13% refuses to answer ,mainly,or were unable to answer about their origin although multiple choices were offered (Indians , Vietnamese , Polynesians,Chinese, West Indians ,Algerian Arabs, Africans.. ..besides Melanesian , European
Thankyou French Reader at 1/18/2024 12:12 AM
I see part of the matter is at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021_New_Caledonian_independence_referendum
with status quo (anti independence) votes being in the majority at all 3 New Caledonia referendums - in 2018, 2020 and 2021.
Regards Pete
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