Chinese military base offer to Vanuatu a furphy, nations say

Vanuatu and Australia have denied any knowledge of an offer by China to establish a military base in the tiny Pacific nation.

Vanuatu foreign minister Ralph Regenvanu surveys cyclone damage with his wife Jenny. Picture: Mark Calleja

Vanuatu and Australia have denied any knowledge of an offer by China to establish a military base in the tiny Pacific nation.

But Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has warned any Chinese military base in the Pacific would be of “great concern” to Australia.

The Opposition has claimed the Pacific was the “biggest single hole in Australia’s strategic policy” and a problem for the US-Australia alliance.

China has previously been accused by the International Development Minister, Connie Fierravanti-Wells, of lending funds to Pacific nations on unfavourable terms and constructing “useless buildings” and “roads to nowhere” in the ­region.

But a claim by Fairfax Media yesterday, that China was in discussions with Vanuatu to build a military base, was quickly rejected by foreign ministers in both nations. “I’m not aware of a military offer being made by China to Vanuatu,’’ Australia’s Julie Bishop told ABC radio yesterday.

“We have very good relationships with Vanuatu and I remain confident that Australia is Vanuatu’s strategic partner of choice.

“I’m aware China is more ­engaged in the Pacific, Chinese vessels visited Vanuatu last year as part of a broader visit to the region, but these visits are normal for neighbours around the world.’’

Vanuatu Foreign Minister Ralph Regenvanu, speaking to the ABC, said any claim that the countries were in preliminary discussions was false. “We are a non-aligned country. We are not interested in militarisation, we are not interested in any sort of ­military base in our country,’’ he said.

“I’m not very happy about the standard of reporting in the Australian media. I would hope the upsurge in paranoia in Australia is not used to destroy or denigrate the good relationship Vanuatu has with Australia.”

Mr Turnbull noted the claim had been denied and said “the maintenance of peace and stability in the Pacific was of utmost importance to us’’.

“We would view with great concern the establishment of any foreign military bases in those Pacific island countries, the neighbours of ours,’’ he said.

He said Pacific nations were looking to Australia to support infrastructure building and developing their capacity.