China builds Vanuatu presidential palace

By Agence France-Presse

Jul 03, 2024 12:12 am

SYDNEY, Australia — The government of cash-strapped Vanuatu will soon settle into a suite of new buildings funded by China, a move likely to reignite concerns about Beijing's reach in the South Pacific nation.

At an official handover ceremony conducted in front of a towering China Aid billboard, Vanuatu's Prime Minister Charlot Salwai announced the opening of the nation's sweeping new presidential palace.

‘GOLDEN’ MOMENT? Vanuatu’s Prime Minister Charlot Salwai (right) receives an oversized golden key from Hu Chunhua, vice chairman of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People, on July 2, 2024. PHOTO FROM THE VANUATU MINISTRY OF THE PRIME MINISTER VIA AFP

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