Australian media report China proposes military base in South Pacific

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Australian media report China proposes military base in South Pacific

 

FILE PHOTO: Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop talks during a news conference with Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto (not pictured) in Budapest, Hungary, February 22, 2018. REUTERS/Bernadett Szabo

 

SYDNEY (Reuters) - China has approached Vanuatu about establishing a permanent military presence on the tiny Pacific island, Australia's Fairfax Media reported on Tuesday, a plan that would likely stoke regional tensions.

 

The report, citing unnamed sources, said no formal proposal had yet been made, but preliminary talks have been held about locating a full military base on Vanuatu. It added that the prospect of a Chinese military outpost so close to Australia has been discussed at the highest levels in Canberra and Washington.

 

Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop on Tuesday said she had been assured by Vanuatu officials that there was no formal proposal from Beijing, but she stopped short of addressing whether there had been any unofficial talks.

 

"The government of Vanuatu has said there is no such proposal, but it is a fact that China is engaging in infrastructure investment activities around the world," Bishop told Australian Broadcasting Corporation radio.

 

"I remain confident that Australia is Vanuatu's strategic partner of choice," she said.

 

A spokesman for Vanuatu Prime Minister Charlot Salwai did not immediately respond to emails requesting comment, telephone calls to the Vanuatu High Commission in Canberra were not answered, and the Chinese Embassy in Canberra did not comment.

 

The Fairfax Media report said the preliminary discussions involved an initial access agreement, under which Chinese naval ships would dock to be serviced, refuelled and restocked, and that would eventually lead to a full military base.

 

Such a plan would mark an expansion of China's military aspirations beyond its controversial activities in Asia, particularly the South China Sea, where it has been building artificial islands on reefs, some with ports and airstrips.

 

Several international nations have accused China in recent months of seeking to buy influence in the South Pacific through international aid, stoking fears that Australia's long-time influence in the region is being eroded.

 

China opened its first overseas military base in August 2017 in Djibouti on the Horn of Africa. It is China’s first overseas naval base, but Beijing describes it as a logistics facility.

 

Djibouti’s position on the northwestern edge of the Indian Ocean has fuelled worry in India that it would become another of China's "string of pearls" military alliances and assets ringing India, including Bangladesh, Myanmar and Sri Lanka.

 

China has boosted its naval power in recent years to check U.S. dominance of the high seas and increase its projection of power around the globe.

 

(Reporting by Colin Packham. Editing by Jane Wardell and Michael Perry)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-04-10

[Odysseus123]

Ah..the Australian media.Owned and led by the nose by "the Few"

 

A few years ago they were screaming that a Russian fleet was poised to invade, so they followed the progress of the destroyer (accompanied by a fleet replenishment ship) all the way across the long,boring,reaches of the Pacific...

[DoctorG]

China has been buying interest in the Pacific for years. Nothing more than other countries do.

[jonstarjon]

23 minutes ago, DoctorG said:

China has been buying interest in the Pacific for years. Nothing more than other countries do.

Fools.. The Chinese dragon has barely started to yawn in the last twenty years. Look at the financial infiltration into the states and fed reserves. The now dominance in continental Africa through supposed aid finance when looked at more carefully are infrastructure projects giving them significant land and occupancy rights. How about the purchase and control of Indonesian islands again supposedly for dismantling said islands in search of rare earths. Or shall we talk about major shipping tonnage (billions of tons) in order to keep their oil reserves private. You have no idea where this is leading until you realise a cycle of power and control is being exerted that will leave us all as mere spectators in the future. The question is who of the big three powerhouses will achieve its goals first? Especially since Europe has only one way to go. Thrrrbb..

[davemos]

28 minutes ago, jonstarjon said:

Fools.. The Chinese dragon has barely started to yawn in the last twenty years. Look at the financial infiltration into the states and fed reserves. The now dominance in continental Africa through supposed aid finance when looked at more carefully are infrastructure projects giving them significant land and occupancy rights. How about the purchase and control of Indonesian islands again supposedly for dismantling said islands in search of rare earths. Or shall we talk about major shipping tonnage (billions of tons) in order to keep their oil reserves private. You have no idea where this is leading until you realise a cycle of power and control is being exerted that will leave us all as mere spectators in the future. The question is who of the big three powerhouses will achieve its goals first? Especially since Europe has only one way to go. Thrrrbb..

They are building a harbor and indebting the population  270000 for millions .Bad government  Is the new colonial power 

[davemos]

1 hour ago, DoctorG said:

China has been buying interest in the Pacific for years. Nothing more than other countries do.

Building bases on coral reefs ..like who ??

[heybuz]

They already own the Darwin port, government didn't say boo

[weegee]

53 minutes ago, heybuz said:

They already own the Darwin port, government didn't say boo

Neither did the Aboriginals....And they reckon it's their land....What a joke !

[tonbridgebrit]

Okay, Australia, what you do is this.
Go and talk to Vanuatu, and offer them a load of aid and loans. You've got to offer more than what China is offering to Vanuatu. That way, Vanuata will not allow China to have a military base there.

Or, you accept that this story by the newspapers is nonsense, and don't bother to give whatever aid and loans to them. And anyway, even if it is true, it's absurd to think that China might use this place as a launch pad to invade Australia.

[Expatthailover]

10 hours ago, Odysseus123 said:

Ah..the Australian media.Owned and led by the nose by "the Few"

 

A few years ago they were screaming that a Russian fleet was poised to invade, so they followed the progress of the destroyer (accompanied by a fleet replenishment ship) all the way across the long,boring,reaches of the Pacific...

Have you checked out british media ownership recently?

 

[Thaidream]

The Chinese are invading everywhere they can but  not with military but with money.  They buy up foreign debt  (USA mostly)  provide 'foreign aid';  purchase foreign land and  literally steal technology around the World.  Their goal is to become the number one economic and military power on earth and our countries continue to assist them by educating their students;  allowing sovereign debt to be purchased and allowing land to be sold to Chinese interests.

[tonbridgebrit]

3 minutes ago, Thaidream said:

The Chinese are invading everywhere they can but  not with military but with money.  They buy up foreign debt  (USA mostly)  provide 'foreign aid';  purchase foreign land and  literally steal technology around the World.  Their goal is to become the number one economic and military power on earth and our countries continue to assist them by educating their students;  allowing sovereign debt to be purchased and allowing land to be sold to Chinese interests.

You've decided to say that China is not going to invade with it's military. So, it's safe then, to allow Vanuata to accept China's aid and loans, and to let China have a military base there ??

[FitnessHealthTravel]

6 hours ago, DoctorG said:

China has been buying interest in the Pacific for years. Nothing more than other countries do.

'Nothing more than other Countries do' are you kidding?  Setting up a Military base is a little different don't you think. Plus, if you actually know anything about China is does actually plan and say it wants to 'rule the world' they're pretty clear about that and these are the steps towards that.

[geriatrickid]

13 hours ago, Odysseus123 said:

Ah..the Australian media.Owned and led by the nose by "the Few"

 

A few years ago they were screaming that a Russian fleet was poised to invade, so they followed the progress of the destroyer (accompanied by a fleet replenishment ship) all the way across the long,boring,reaches of the Pacific...

So, basically you expect us to believe your claim that this mysterious "few" entity made the story up? You expect us to take you at your word and to accept your unsubstantiate, uncorroborated claim? You are doing the exact act that you claim others have done, and you are lying.

 

Read the article again. The article  reports a claim and then provides a rebuttal by way of the Vanuata government? Ever been there? I have. Port Villa is rather grim. It's a dusty backwater, and the country survives on handouts  from Australia, New Zealand and France.  It is regularly  implicated in offshore fraud schemes because there is systemic corruption. If the  ruling clique could make money leasing  a port to China it would.

 

[FritsSikkink]

4 hours ago, FitnessHealthTravel said:

'Nothing more than other Countries do' are you kidding?  Setting up a Military base is a little different don't you think. Plus, if you actually know anything about China is does actually plan and say it wants to 'rule the world' they're pretty clear about that and these are the steps towards that.

Which country has bases all over the world at the moment and is bombing about 7 countries at the same time?

[Odysseus123]

Yet another "unnamed" source-it could be Bob the 'tradie' from Taree for all I know.I note the pronouncement emanates from a gov't in political trouble and is in virtual "Lame Duck" mode until the next election.

 

Personally,my money is on Queen Adelaide Island as there are a whole bunch of pesky penguins down there..,just ripe for an invasion and a good talking to.

[DoctorG]

11 hours ago, FitnessHealthTravel said:

'Nothing more than other Countries do' are you kidding?  Setting up a Military base is a little different don't you think. Plus, if you actually know anything about China is does actually plan and say it wants to 'rule the world' they're pretty clear about that and these are the steps towards that.

Have you not considered that the US has military bases throughout the Pacific? Why even lowly OZ has military/naval bases in other countries.

You are in Shanghai so I will allow that you know something of China but I worked with the PLA for 6 months and know a little of the Chinese military mind. (18 months all-up in China).

The Chinese do not want to rule the world but, yes, they are working hard to expand their influence wherever they can.

[PhonThong]

13 hours ago, Thaidream said:

The Chinese are invading everywhere they can but  not with military but with money.  They buy up foreign debt  (USA mostly)  provide 'foreign aid';  purchase foreign land and  literally steal technology around the World.  Their goal is to become the number one economic and military power on earth and our countries continue to assist them by educating their students;  allowing sovereign debt to be purchased and allowing land to be sold to Chinese interests.

Not sure why people keep harping on the United States foreign debt.  The majority of the debt is in Treasury Bonds purchased.  Most of the debt owed by the government is money owed to the American people. Money borrowed from such things as Social Security.  As an example. 

 In all fairness, I copied this. So, no I am not claiming this to be my own work.

  

Foreign Ownership of U.S. Debt

In December 2017, China owned $1.2 trillion of U.S. debt. It's the largest foreign holder of U.S. Treasury securities. The second largest holder is Japan at $1.1 trillion. Both Japan and China want to keep the value of the dollar higher than the value of their currencies. That helps keep their exports affordable for the United States, which helps their economies grow. That's why, despite China's occasional threats to sell its holdings, both countries are happy to be America's biggest foreign bankers. China replaced the United Kingdom as the second largest foreign holder on May 31, 2007. That's when it increased its holdings to $699 billion, outpacing the United Kingdom's $640 billion. 

Ireland is third, holding $326 billion. The Cayman Islands are fourth, at $270 billion. The Bureau of International Settlements believes it is a front for sovereign wealth funds and hedge funds whose owners don't want to reveal their positions. So are Luxembourg ($218 billion) and Belgium ($119 billion). 

After the Cayman Islands, the next largest holders are Brazil, the UK,  Switzerland, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Saudi Arabia, and India. They each hold between $14 4and $257 billion. 

  The USA is quite capable of paying off these debts. But, these countries just assume they don't.  So, when it's said, the USA has loans from other countries. Well, that's not exactly true. They are guaranteeing repayment of Treasury securities. Any country holding them can cash them in at any time.

 

 

[Odysseus123]

Just now, car720 said:

What sheep we have become.  This is why I will not have a television in my home and I never buy newspapers.  We bleet and bleet and follow the leader straight into the wolf's mouth.

Yes,indeed.

 

..and one day.-overwhelmed by it all-some of the wolves and some of the sheep are going to blow us all up.

 

The awful truth is that 1984 is not a "dystopian" novel.It is the way we live now-albeit a trifle more comfortably (for some) than the author foretold.

 

Turning the wretched TV off and filtering the nauseating news "sources" is a step in the right direction.

 

Meanwhile..back to the utterly absurd military base in Vanuatu.

[tonbridgebrit]

16 hours ago, FitnessHealthTravel said:

'Nothing more than other Countries do' are you kidding?  Setting up a Military base is a little different don't you think. Plus, if you actually know anything about China is does actually plan and say it wants to 'rule the world' they're pretty clear about that and these are the steps towards that.

So China plans to rule the world ?  So how many Chinese told you that they want to rule the world ?  How many Muslims would like to see almost everybody converting to Islam ? Does this make Islam a threat to world peace ?  Off-course not !

Just because you've read a few books going on about China wanting to take over the world, well, that don't mean to say it's true. What about Russia and Washington ? Have they been trying to increase their areas of influence ? Off-course they have.

What's happening is this. China is exporting a stack of cheap goods to America and Europe.  Trump is unusual, because he wants to reduce this stack of cheap imports. China needs raw materials to produce this stack of cheap goods for export. That's why China is importing a mountain of coal and iron ore from Australia. If the Australian government thought that China was a threat, well, they wouldn't be absurd enough to export to China such a huge amount of raw materials.

[tonbridgebrit]

15 hours ago, geriatrickid said:

So, basically you expect us to believe your claim that this mysterious "few" entity made the story up? You expect us to take you at your word and to accept your unsubstantiate, uncorroborated claim? You are doing the exact act that you claim others have done, and you are lying.

 

Read the article again. The article  reports a claim and then provides a rebuttal by way of the Vanuata government? Ever been there? I have. Port Villa is rather grim. It's a dusty backwater, and the country survives on handouts  from Australia, New Zealand and France.  It is regularly  implicated in offshore fraud schemes because there is systemic corruption. If the  ruling clique could make money leasing  a port to China it would.

 

Right, so Australia, New Zealand and France should increase their handouts for Vanuata ? Or how about scrap their handouts to Vanuata if China does build a base there ? This will surely save money for Australia ? No need to subsidise these foreigners ?

And if Vanuata does decide to accept aid from China, and let China build a port there, well, surely, that's Vanuata's choice ?

[Odysseus123]

Just now, tonbridgebrit said:

So China plans to rule the world ?  So how many Chinese told you that they want to rule the world ?  How many Muslims would like to see almost everybody converting to Islam ? Does this make Islam a threat to world peace ?  Off-course not !

Just because you've read a few books going on about China wanting to take over the world, well, that don't mean to say it's true. What about Russia and Washington ? Have they been trying to increase their areas of influence ? Off-course they have.

What's happening is this. China is exporting a stack of cheap goods to America and Europe.  Trump is unusual, because he wants to reduce this stack of cheap imports. China needs raw materials to produce this stack of cheap goods for export. That's why China is importing a mountain of coal and iron ore from Australia. If the Australian government thought that China was a threat, well, they wouldn't be absurd enough to export to China such a huge amount of raw materials.

Indeed.

 

However "Australia " is rather schizophrenic..

 

It ha never overcome its fright about La Perouse turning up in January.1788.

 

I am tossing this into the bin labelled "fake news"

 

There is no doubt that China and Australia are now closely interconnected-whether they like it or not.

 

It has been interesting to follow the ASEAN conference..

 

As Australians can barely speak English-let alone another language-it will be interesting what comes of it all..

 

[natway09]

This is the continuation of the great yellow spread.

No Government, organization or individual will stop it so we are going to have to learn to live with it.

In 40 years China will be THE super power

[Odysseus123]

7 minutes ago, natway09 said:

This is the continuation of the great yellow spread.

No Government, organization or individual will stop it so we are going to have to learn to live with it.

In 40 years China will be THE super power

In the meantime this is just an  Australian beat up.

 

I think that e will become a "grey" zone where superpowers fight for the "periphery".

 

Japan still holds but the Philippines and SE Asia has gone for a Burton.

 

It is looking a bit like NW India in the old days.