Page 10 - IB FEB 2018

Political Brief

Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokesman, Lu Kang Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China
China unfazed by Australia’s claim

BEIJING, CHINA - CHINA has lashed out The Australian newspaper that China rama said that China was a staunch
at Australia’s criticism of its foreign aid was constructing “useless buildings” in cooperation partner and a sincere friend.
to the Pacific while Pacific Island coun- the Pacific. He thanked the Chinese government
tries have spoken in China’s defense- She told the ABC’s Pacific Beat pro- and enterprises for helping Fiji build
stating the country has heavily assisted gramme she was concerned that some those two bridges.
the Pacific region. Pacific countries were taking on debts they “These two bridges were built with
Speaking to journalists in Beijing, For- could not afford to repay. China’s free assistance to Fiji; they will
eign Ministry spokesman, Lu Kang said “We just don’t want to build a road that greatly improve the traffic and transpor-
Australia’s accusations against China doesn’t go anywhere,” Senator Fierravan- tation conditions in the capital Suva and
was borne out of Canberra’s reluctance ti-Wells told Pacific Beat. facilitate local people’s lives,” he said.
to see the Pacific Islands realise inde- “We want to ensure that the infrastruc- Samoa’s Prime Minister Tuilaepa
pendent and sustainable development. ture that you do build is actually produc- Sailele Malielegaoi on the other hand
“On the basis of fully respecting the tive and is actually going to give some criticised the Australian minister’s
will of the governments and people of economic benefit or some sort of health “false accusation” of China’s aid pro-
the Pacific Islands countries and their benefit.” gramme in the Pacific region, saying
development needs, China has been as- Kang said China would continue with that the accusation was “insulting” to
sisting them within its capabilities with such support and assistance to the Pacific the Pacific Island leaders, and has the
no political strings attached in particular Islands countries, referring to the recent capacity to “destroy” Australia’s rela-
and such assistance has greatly boosted construction of Fiji’s Stinson Parade Bridge tions with the region.
their socio-economic development and and the Vatuwaqa Bridge as part of China’s Tuilaepa praised China for being bet-
received warm welcome,” said Kang. no string attached assistance to the Pacific. ter placed “to provide the assistance to
Late last year, Australia’s Minister The two bridges were constructed with Samoa than Australia which has long
for International Development and the China’s assistance and opened last month. regarded the Pacific Island states as its
Pacific Concetta Fierravanti-Wells told Fijian Prime Minister Voreqe Bainima- own backyard.”

NZ PM becomes first time mum Her announcement to take maternity in for her other posts while she was away
Wellington, New Zealand - Deputy leave while being the head of government from parliament but she would be fully
Prime Minister Winston Peters would makes her the only PM in recent times to contactable and available throughout the
take on the role of acting Prime Minister be pregnant while in office. six-week period.
while Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern go on Ardern said all appropriate arrange- The Green Party co-leader James Shaw
maternity leave for six weeks. ments would be made for ministers filling said Arden’s choice proved a woman could

10 Islands Business, February 2018