SYDNEY, Australia — Australia and New Zealand said Tuesday they were closely monitoring developments while downplaying a report that China wants to establish a permanent military base on the Pacific nation of Vanuatu. China has been aggressively growing its military and pushing its footprint deeper into the Pacific, forging closer links by showering nations with development money. "I'm not aware of a military offer being made by China to Vanuatu," she said, noting that the Vanuatu government had said to the newspaper it was not aware of such proposal. Australia's Lowy Institute estimates China provided US$1.78 billion in aid, including concessional loans, to Pacific nations between 2006-16. "We don't know what the consequences are when (Pacific nations) have to pay back some of these Chinese loans," she said.

Source: Philippine Star April 10, 2018 03:33 UTC