A newly refurbished ambulance station in Lae was officially opened today, promising better and faster emergency medical help for the people of Lae and surrounding districts.
The upgrade, a significant infrastructure improvement, was made possible through the partnership between Papua New Guinea and Australia via the PNG-Australia Policing Partnership (PNG-APP).
The revamped station features modern facilities and improved security, replacing older buildings to better support ambulance operations in Morobe Province. Since its establishment in 2022, the St John Lae Ambulance Station has already assisted over 20,000 people, with the number of emergency responses steadily increasing each year, reaching over 10,000 in 2024.
National St John Ambulance (NStJA) Chief Executive Matthew Cannon highlighted the station’s crucial role, stating that the Lae Ambulance Station is the second busiest within the National St John Ambulance Service network, playing a vital role in emergency response for Lae and surrounding districts in Morobe Province.
He added that the upgraded facility will improve crew safety, operational readiness, and the quality of care delivered to the community.
The project is expected to significantly benefit the community by ensuring quicker response times and better quality care during emergencies.
Mr. Cannon also expressed gratitude to the Australian Government, saying that this project represents a major step forward in the efforts to enhance ambulance services across Papua New Guinea.
“We are immensely grateful to the Australian Government through the PNG-Australia Policing Partnership for their continued partnership and support in strengthening emergency medical systems for the people of Morobe.”
Morobe Provincial Health Authority Chief Executive Officer, Dr Kipas Binga also welcomed the upgrade, acknowledging NStJA as a valued partner in delivering health services in Lae and the surrounding districts of Morobe Province and expressed his anticipation for continued collaboration.
PNG-Australia Policing Partnership Assistant Commissioner, Jamie Strauss noted his pleasure that the partnership could support initiatives that directly benefit communities.
The successful completion of the Lae Ambulance Station upgrade underscores the positive impact of collaborative efforts in strengthening essential public services in Papua New Guinea.
Queensland’s rugby league captain, Daly Cherry-Evans, wants to keep playing as halfback and make history for his team. This comes after a former great player for the other team (NSW), Andrew Johns, said Cherry-Evans should be replaced.
Queensland lost their first game of the series against NSW. After that, Johns said that Tom Dearden should take over Cherry-Evans’ position as the No. 7 halfback.
Johns said, “I think they have to pull the trigger and bring Dearden in.”
Andrew Johns doing broadcast duties during the NRL Round 18 match between the Parramatta Eels and the New Zealand Warriors at Commbank Stadium in Sydney, Friday, July 15, 2022. (AAP Image/Dean Lewins)
Dearden usually plays another position but has played well before.
Cherry-Evans, who is the oldest player to ever play for Queensland in these games, didn’t play his best in the last match. However, Queensland has never taken their captain off the team in the middle of a series.
Another Queensland legend, Shane Webcke, said it’s a tough situation.
“I am a bit worried. There’s some serious questions to be asked. And unfortunately, one of them I think might be Daly Cherry-Evans.
“I just feel like he’s at that point in his career. And when you see him with (No.6) Cameron Munster tonight, the magic wasn’t there. And that worries me.
“And I hate to suggest something about a bloke like Daly Cherry-Evans, but I feel like at the end of the last series, we probably lost the opportunity with a bloke like him.
“He’s 36 years old. But the opportunity was probably there to reinvent a bit. And I think we might pay a price for not having done that,” Webcke concluded
Cherry-Evans knows people talk like this after a loss. But he wants to make history by winning the series. Queensland has never lost the first home game and then won the series, which has two away games. They now need to win in Perth and Sydney to win the trophy.
Cherry-Evans said, “Those stats are there to be broken. That’s the mentality we’ve got to have, create our own bit of history.”
He also said, “Sometimes you have to do things not the way you planned it at the start.”
He believes his team can overcome this: “It’s a greater sign of a team facing adversity, overcoming obstacles and that’s the opportunity we’ve got in front of us. I believe in the group and I believe in everyone, from the coaching staff to the playing group.”
He added, “Queensland will be cheering from afar, so we have to do them proud.”
Cherry-Evans also responded to people saying he’s not good enough anymore.
“When you lose, it’s just natural in this game that those questions will be asked.
“I just have to go away, look at my own performance and where I can help the team get better. I am certainly not the one to lose self-belief, that’s for sure.
“Because of the role I have for this side, I will definitely take my share of responsibility and look really hard at where I can help the team get better for the next game. It’s always difficult after a loss being in the position I’m in. It’s not lost on me,” added Cherry-Evans.
Cherry-Evans has been in this situation before. In 2020, his team was called the worst ever, but they still won the series. That’s why he still thinks they can win this time.
He said, “There’s a lot of people in this group who have played a lot of footy together.”
He finished by saying, “This is going to be our greatest test and because of the relationships and the talent in the team, that’s why I’ve got so much belief we can do this.”
Coca-Cola has announced the return of its “Share a Coke” campaign in Papua New Guinea, offering consumers the chance to find their names and nicknames on bottles and cans of the popular soft drink.
The campaign, which previously saw success globally, allows individuals to find Coca-Cola products featuring a wide array of names.
This iteration in PNG includes almost 85 options on Coca-Cola Original Taste, ranging from common names such as ‘Michael’, ‘Grace’, ‘Susan’, ‘Nigel’, ‘Serah’, and ‘Jack’, to local group terms like ‘Wantok’, ‘Bestie’, ‘Susa’, and ‘Olgeta’.
These specially labelled products will be available for a limited time at major supermarkets and food retailers nationwide.
In addition to the pre-printed names, Coca-Cola will also be hosting over 50 personalization pop-up stations across the country starting from June 21st. These stations will allow consumers to create their own personalized Coca-Cola cans.
Speaking about the initiative, Rachel Miryam Nainggolan, Senior Brand Manager, Frontline Marketing – Coca-Cola Papua New Guinea said “Share a Coke” is not just about finding your name on a bottle or can; it’s about creating moments of joy and connection.
“We’re thrilled to bring this exciting campaign back to Papua New Guinea, giving everyone a chance to share special moments with their friends and family. It’s all about celebrating the people who make our lives magical.”
Tim Solly, Sales and Commercial Director, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, added, Share a Coke is all about bringing people together and we can’t wait to bring the Share a Coke experience on the road.
“We’ll be visiting universities, shopping centers, and cultural shows/events across the country so we connect with as many people as possible to Share a Coke with.”
The “Share a Coke” campaign is expected to run for a limited period, encouraging consumers to look out for personalized bottles and cans in stores and to visit the upcoming pop-up personalization stations.
This month’s Australian elections brought many surprises. One of them was that Labor, once returned, decided to separate the Pacific and international development ministerial portfolios for the first time (for any government) since 2007.
Then it was Duncan Kerr for the Pacific and Bob McMullan for aid, both parliamentary secretaries. Now we have Pat Conroy as Minister for Pacific Island Affairs and Anne Aly as Minister for International Development.
This might simply be a sign that Pat Conroy is overworked. After all, as Minister for Defence Industry, he is overseeing a massive and highly problematic scale-up of the defence budget.
But the optimist in me hopes that it might also be a sign that the Labor government is going to take aid more seriously, and think more globally, in its second term.
Yes, other countries around that world have recently cut, if not slashed, their foreign aid. But Australia was simply ahead of the curve by slashing aid a decade ago. Those cuts have never been reversed, and Australia is as a result today one of the world’s most miserly donors. We shouldn’t be! With Labor claiming to be the guardian of the fair go, one can only hope that it will increase aid in its second term, and not just for the Pacific.
Bringing a broader perspective to aid, one that looks beyond the Pacific and strategic competition with China, would be a forward step. It is incredible that in a world of unprecedented crisis Australian aid is justified not by its provision of support to relieve global suffering but by its further concentration on what is already the most aid-dependent region in the world. I was shocked to read in the most recent aid budget that Australia justified its support for the World Bank by the fact that the Bank worked in the Pacific. Talk about the tail wagging the dog.
I am a supporter of aid, but too much focus of aid on the Pacific not only distorts Australia’s priorities but is also bad for the Pacific. Australian aid has engendered a culture in the Pacific of workshops, training, much of it overseas, and t-shirts.
If aid is not the way forward for the Pacific, migration is. The first term of this Labor government was historic in its achievements for Pacific migration but, even though Labor made no new Pacific commitments going into this year’s election, there is plenty left to be done in its second term. This is especially so in a context in which the Pacific is increasingly demanding freer if not free movement within the region.
Most importantly, Labor has three years to bed down its ambitious new Pacific Engagement Visa (PEV). If the Coalition had been elected it is quite possible that they would have abolished the PEV. After all, they voted against the PEV legislation. Now Labor has three years to bed it down. The PEV represents a completely new approach to migration — it is the only visa we have that is not employer-sponsored but which has an employment requirement — and it will take some time to bed down. It is definitely facing teething problems.
The key difficulty has been for offshore PEV lottery winners to get the onshore job required for them to convert that selection by lottery into an actual visa. One possible reform would be to give those selected in the annual lottery a six- or 12-month employment visa to visit Australia and find a job. Another would be to drop the work requirement altogether.
Second, Labor in its first term introduced family accompaniment for the Pacific temporary migration program (PALM), but only on a pilot basis. Progress has been glacial on this key human rights reform, and the key priority here has to be to go from pilot to mainstream. (Labor’s 2022 commitment had no mention of any pilot.)
Third, PALM itself needs to be rescued. Multi-year (long-term) PALM visa numbers are flat over the last year, and multi-month (short-term) numbers fell by 10% over the same period.
Survey data tells us that the schemes are viewed by both participants and non-participants as highly beneficial. PNG, Timor-Leste and Solomon Islands in particular all want to send a lot more workers. This simply won’t be possible if the scheme continues to be over- regulated, causing employers to continue to turn their backs on the opportunity to bring out Pacific workers to do seasonal farm work, preferring to hire from the much less regulated backpacker workforce instead.
Fourth, PALM continues to suffer from the overlapping problems of too many workers absconding and claiming asylum. Bad employers who break migration rules — most of them operating outside the tightly regulated PALM — need to be cracked down on and the time taken to process asylum applications greatly reduced.
Fifth, Labor in its first term only made a nod in the direction of the critical issue of backpacker visa reform. The unions, unable to recruit backpackers, turn a blind eye to the high levels of exploitation they suffer. In June 2024, Labor set up a review of regional visa settings, including the backpacker visa. That review never concluded. But Labor should follow through on the advice of its own migration review. As the Fair Work Ombudsman has said, the “work- for-visa” link embedded in the backpacker visa (with visa extensions granted if particular types and amounts of work can be demonstrated) is broken. All backpacker visas should be issued for three years, with no limits on or incentives to work. This would not only greatly reduce workplace exploitation; it would also reverse the PALM decline.
Sixth, new initiatives should be adopted. New Zealand has just announced that anyone from the Pacific with a valid Australian work, tourist or study visa will be given entry to New Zealand. New Zealand will also increase the duration of its short-term visitor visas for the Pacific from 12 to 24 months. Australia should do the same. Australia should also support the Pacific proposal for an APEC-type business card that would allow free business travel within the region.
And there is more. Superannuation for PALM workers needs a legislative fix. Regional PALM work restrictions make little sense. And the pathbreaking Australia-Tuvalu Falepili Union agreement could be replicated with other interested Pacific nations.
There is a lot to be done. So much so that I hope that, at the next election if not before, whoever is in government creates a Pacific migration portfolio and assigns a dedicated minister to it.
Written by:Stephen Howes
This is the first part of the Pacific Family Matters blog series which explores priorities for there-elected Labor government’s engagement on development issues with the Pacific Islands region. The series draws on the expertise of the Pacific Research Program, a consortium led by the Department of Pacific Affairs at the Australian National University (ANU), in partnership with ANU’s Development Policy Centre and the Lowy Institute.
Disclosure: The Pacific Research Program is an independent Pacific-focused research program that supports evidence-based policy-making in the Pacific and collaborative research relationships across the region. The PRP is co-funded by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the consortium partners’ parent bodies. The views are those of the author only.
This article appeared first on Devpolicy Blog (devpolicy.org), from the Development Policy Centre at The Australian National University. Stephen Howes is Director of the Development Policy Centre and Professor of Economics at the Crawford School of Public Policy at The Australian National University.
The talk in Australia is all about what Queensland will do after their 18-6 loss to New South Wales in the first State of Origin game.
One of the biggest talking points is the future of Queensland captain and halfback, Daly Cherry-Evans.
A legend of the game who has played many times for the QLD Maroons, Cherry-Evans wasn’t at his best in this first match.
Now, a former great player for NSW, Andrew Johns, has said it’s time for Queensland to make a big change.
He believes they should drop Cherry-Evans and bring in Tom Dearden at halfback.
Dearden, who played off the bench in the first game, is a young gun who can really spark things up.
Tom Dearden (left) of the Maroons is tackled by Nathan Cleary of the Blues during the State of Origin game one match between the Queensland Maroons and the New South Wales Blues at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Wednesday, May 28, 2025. (AAP Image/Darren England)
Johns didn’t hold back, saying Queensland looked like they couldn’t fix their problems. He also thought NSW could have won by a lot more if they played even better.
“Look, no one beats Father Time and DCE is what, (36)? I think they have to pull the trigger and bring Dearden in,” Johns said on Channel Nine TV.
” I don’t know where the improvement comes with this group.
“NSW, if they were on tonight, they win by 40 or 50. They left so many tries out there and they’ll be better for that.
He also suggested other changes for Queensland, mentioning players like Corey Horsburgh and Jai Arrow. But the big question is whether they will replace their captain, Cherry-Evans, with Dearden.
“I don’t know if they can go up another level, Queensland. I think there has to be changes with Corey Horsburgh, he’s one I think can add something.
“Jai Arrow is an Origin player, but the big one is Dearden and whether they pull the trigger on Dearden with DCE.”
Dearden has shown his class before, playing well for Queensland last year and being outstanding for Australia in the Pacific Cup.
When asked if he wanted another chance to prove himself in the next game, Cherry-Evans said, “Yeah, definitely. When you lose, these questions come up. I’d love the opportunity to come back and make things right.”
Another former Queensland captain, Cameron Smith, also spoke about the situation. When asked if it was time for Queensland to move on from Cherry-Evans, he said the coach, Billy Slater, would have the final say.
“There’s no doubt that the key position players of Queensland lacked a bit of cohesion tonight. In the crucial moments of the game they just couldn’t get the job done.”
Queensland had a rough night. They gave away too many penalties, their attack wasn’t smooth, and they didn’t control the middle of the field. They also made poor choices on the last tackle and missed a lot of tackles – 48 in total!
Coach Billy Slater said they need to review what went wrong.
“That’s probably something for the review, and looking through the the tape and, obviously sitting down with the group. At the end of the day it’s got to come from the players,” he said.
Slater doesn’t think it’s just about the players they picked.
“I definitely don’t think it’s a personnel thing. I know what this team’s capable of and and that’s why you can probably see I’m disappointed because they haven’t played their best footy.
“I feel responsible to try and help them get there. So it’s definitely not a personnel thing. They’ve had a great attitude as well. But to the discipline side of the game, the attitude wasn’t good enough.”
So, the big question for all you rugby league fans here in PNG is: will Queensland stick with their experienced captain, Cherry-Evans, or will they bring in the young talent of Tom Dearden to try and turn things around in the next game? It’s going to be interesting to see what happens!
The first-ever captain of Moana Pasifika, Sekope Kepu, says it’s been fantastic to see the Super Rugby Pacific team really start to shine under their new leader, Ardie Savea.
Even if they don’t make it to the Super Rugby Pacific finals, Kepu, who used to captain Moana Pasifika, believes this season has already been a big success for the side led by Savea.
Moana Pasifika have a very important game coming up against the Hurricanes, Savea’s old team, this Saturday. They need to win to keep their spot in the top six play-off teams.
This year, with All Blacks star Savea, who is proud of his Samoan heritage, as their captain, Moana Pasifika have already won six games; more than ever before.
In their first two seasons, they only won a total of three matches.
Coached by the well-known New Zealander Tana Umaga, they have achieved some big wins, including beating the champion team the Blues for the first time, as well as victories over the Hurricanes, Waratahs, Crusaders, Highlanders, and the Fijian Drua.
Kepu, a former star player for Australia, who led the team in their first year in 2022, thinks these wins already make the season a success.
“From year one, where we won one game … this year, beating a lot more New Zealand teams, there’s been improvements every year, and it’s already a win in my books,” the 39-year-old said.
“It’s just nice to see them start to bear some of that fruit and put pressure on teams and get wins over the teams that they weren’t expected to beat and it will continue to grow..”
The contribution of their forward leader, Savea, has been so significant that he was named the Super Rugby Pacific player of the season even before the regular games finished.
Kepu, who played many international matches, said that Savea, who was the best player in the world last year, leads by example and helps the players around him improve.
“Talking to them, he’s inspired a lot of those guys and having him in there has just been special for the group,” said Kepu, who was last week announced as an assistant coach for the historic First Nations & Pasifika Invitational XV, who will face the touring Lions in July.
“The way he’s led the team has been unbelievable and it’s been unreal to watch their progress.
“The boys, they see a leader, and they follow him and some of those guys I’ve watched develop – Miracle Fai’ilagi and Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa – they’ve just been phenomenal as a backrow and they just follow the leader.”
Papua New Guinean design talent are jetting off to Fiji, ready to make a vibrant statement at Fiji Fashion Week 2025.
A distinguished delegation representing PNG’s burgeoning fashion scene departed yesterday (27 May), carrying with them a rich tapestry of culture and innovation crafted by the nation’s designers.
Leading this creative charge is the iconic Florence Jaukae Kamel, globally recognized as the “Bilum Meri.”
Her participation is a powerful showcase of indigenous artistry, as her handmade bilum couture transforms traditional weaving into breathtaking high fashion. Each meticulously crafted piece celebrates the skill and knowledge of PNG women, weaving stories of heritage into contemporary designs.
Stepping onto the Fiji runway as a model, Incennea will embody the fusion of traditional Melanesian aesthetics with modern style, a living canvas showcasing the design vision of the nation. Her presence perfectly aligns with this year’s theme, GENESIS, representing a fresh and authentic expression of cultural identity through fashion.
Adding to the spirit of collaboration, celebrated PNG designer William Maba Bray was present at Jacksons International Airport to see the delegation off.
His support underscores the interconnectedness of the PNG fashion community, and his upcoming participation in Florence Jaukae Kamel’s Bilum Festival in Goroka later this year further highlights the ongoing exchange of creative ideas and cultural inspiration within the region.
“This is what GENESIS is all about—new beginnings, deeper connections, and stronger representation of our culture,” stated Bridgette Kassman, spokesperson for PNG Fashion Week, who is also traveling as Executive Assistant to the Managing Director, ensuring the delegation’s smooth and impactful representation.
“We are not just sending designers—we are sending ambassadors of heritage, identity, and innovation.”
The journey to Fiji was made possible thanks to the continued support of Air Niugini, the official carrier and a key partner of PNG Fashion Week, highlighting the crucial role of national collaboration in fostering international opportunities for PNG’s creative sector.
As Florence Jaukae Kamel and Incennea Minz prepare to showcase their unique visions on the Fiji runway, they carry with them the collective creativity and cultural pride of Papua New Guinea, ready to captivate and inspire the Pacific fashion world.
In a region known for its vast landscapes and tight-knit communities, a wave of educational achievement is being celebrated. Over 840 individuals in the Fly River area of Western Province have successfully advanced or graduated through the Flexible Open Distance Education (FODE) program, marking a significant milestone for the province.
This achievement, made possible through a collaborative effort funded by the Sustainable Development Program (SDP) and implemented by the Kokoda Track Foundation (KTF), in partnership with the Western Province Division of Education, is opening doors for people seeking a second chance at education in some of Papua New Guinea’s most remote locales.
Among the many success stories, the journey of Marilyn Duwaba shines brightly.
A dedicated primary school teacher and a busy single mother of three in Kiunga, Marilyn recently celebrated a personal triumph: upgrading her Grade 12 results through FODE.
Over two decades after her initial schooling, Marilyn felt compelled to improve her GPA to meet new government standards for educators. The flexible nature of the FODE program allowed her to pursue this goal while continuing her vital work in the classroom.
Marilyn’s dedication culminated in a remarkable achievement in 2024; not only did she improve her GPA, but she was also recognized as the Dux of her class.
Reflecting on her success, Marilyn had this to say, “I was so excited that my effort had paid off. I feel that with this kind of opportunity in the community, we don’t have to stay at the same level; we can continue to advance ourselves and provide good opportunities for our families and contribute to our communities as well.”
Marilyn Duwaba, Grade 12 Dux Student at Western Outreach FODE (left)
Driven by her own experience, Marilyn is now encouraging others who may be hesitant to return to education.
“You don’t stop because it does not turn out right the first time,” she urged.
“If you want to achieve something then you keep going. Education does not end with a certain grade, we can keep upgrading ourselves so we can provide a better community for ourselves and our families.”
The graduation celebrations across Western Province underscored the strength of the partnerships driving this progress.
Representatives from local government, SDP, and KTF joined the festivities, including Western Provincial Education Advisor Mr. Charlie Buia, SDP Director of Education Dr. Brad Shaw, KTF CEO Dr. Genevieve Nelson, and KTF Head of Education Ms. Martha Bentley.
This initiative, fueled by the vision of SDP’s Gutpela Community Strategy 2025-2030, is forging a path towards a brighter future for Western Province.
Through the combined efforts of SDP, KTF, FODE, and the Western Provincial Division of Education, a growing number of empowered individuals are gaining the skills and qualifications needed to pursue employment and further education, building a stronger and more prosperous community for all.
Papua New Guinea’s national Rugby League teams, the Kumuls and the Orchids have received a significant boost with the renewal of sponsorship, notably featuring equal financial support for both squads.
This development promises to elevate the profile and resources available to the Orchids, bringing them on par with the traditionally more prominent Kumuls.
The move signifies a growing emphasis on gender equality within Papua New Guinean sports.
While the Kumuls have long been a source of national pride, the Orchids have consistently demonstrated passion and determination.
The equal sponsorship aims to provide the women’s team with access to improved training facilities and greater visibility, fostering the growth of women’s rugby league in the PNG.
“We are proud to stand behind our national teams, the PNG Kumuls and PNG Orchids,” said Tarik Boudiaf, the CEO of Digicel PNG.
“This support is an investment in empowerment, growth, and opportunity for all our athletes.”
Digcel PNG Senior VP and Chief Sales officer Lorna McPherson shows PNG Media the Digicel branding on the back of PNG LNG Kumul Jersey that is one part of the sponsorship. Beside her is Digicel CEO Tarik Boduiaf.
Rugby League holds a special place in Papua New Guinea, and this renewed commitment to both national teams underscores the importance of the sport across the country.
The equal backing is expected to inspire future generations of both male and female athletes.
For over a decade, there has been support for Rugby League at various levels, including grassroots and the Digicel-ExxonMobil Cup.
This latest development further strengthens the foundation for the sport’s continued growth and success on the international stage for both the men’s and women’s national teams.
“By sharing our support equally, we’re helping to level the playing field and provide the necessary support for our female athletes alongside their male counterparts,” said Lorna McPherson, Senior Vice President of Digicel PNG.
“We wish both the PNG Kumuls and PNG Orchids every success as they represent our nation.”
Developing nations, including those in the Pacific, will pay China $A34 billion this year as Beijing comes calling for repayments on project funding.
China is now “the world’s largest single destination for developing country debt payments” and outstripping the whole of the West, says a new report shows from Australian think tank The Lowy Institute.
Under its Belt and Road Initiative, China has rapidly increased investments in infrastructure since 2013, partnering with dozens of nations primarily in the developed world.
In more recent years Beijing has changed tack, providing a heavier portion of grants – which do not need to be repaid – into its mix of development assistance.
However, with standard lending terms including the delay of payments for several years before a maturation of loans at 15-20 years, it appears crunch time has arrived for repayments.
“China’s earlier lending boom, combined with the structure of its loans, made a surge in debt servicing costs inevitable,” report author Riley Duke said.
“Because China’s Belt and Road lending spree peaked in the mid-2010s, those grace periods began expiring in the early 2020s. It was always likely to be a crunch period for developing country repayments to China.”
Mr Duke says some of the world’s poorest people are likely to bear the brunt.
“The high debt burden facing developing countries will hamper poverty reduction and slow development progress while stoking economic and political instability risks,” he said.
The analysis is incomplete, given data is only available for 54 of 120 developing countries and China does not routinely disclose funding.
Mr Duke says this means his figure of $US22 billion ($A34 billion) to be repaid in 2025 to China and its many state-controlled lending arms is likely an understatement.
It is also unclear whether China would defer debt repayments as it did during the COVID-19 pandemic, when it joined with G20 nations to provide relief.
That move was helpful at the time, according to Mr Duke, but the effect was to mount costs into a heightening of the current repayment spike.
Several countries across the Pacific, which have benefited from Chinese investment in infrastructure, are likely to be among the countries affected.
The report comes ahead of a significant summit between China and the Pacific in Xiamen, beginning on Wednesday when Foreign Minister Wang Yi hosts representatives of 11 nations.
Kiribati Prime Minister Taneti Maamau and Niue Premier Dalton Tagelagi will join with the foreign ministers of Tonga, Nauru, Micronesia, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea and Cook Islands, and representatives from Fiji and Samoa for the two-day meeting.
“There will be an in-depth exchange of views on interactions and cooperation between China and Pacific island countries (PICs) in all aspects and international and regional issues of mutual interest,” China foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said.
“China highly values its ties with PICs and hopes that this meeting will help drive the implementation of the important common understandings reached between leaders of the two sides, enhance solidarity and coordination, unite efforts for development and prosperity, and galvanize an even closer community with a shared future.”
The 11 nations attending the summit make up the entire Pacific Islands Forum membership, excepting the three countries with diplomatic ties to Taiwan, the two France-aligned nations, Australia and New Zealand.
