A Chinese embassy spokesman has said the idea that China is planning to establish a military base in Vanuatu is “ridiculous”. Fairfax reported there had been informal discussions between China and Vanuatu, but no formal offer, about a military buildup. The Australian foreign minister, Julie Bishop, told the ABC on Tuesday morning she remained “confident that Australia is Vanuatu’s strategic partner of choice”. He cited an upcoming joint disaster response exercise between New Zealand, Vanuatu and China. Her foreign minister, Winston Peters, said: “This is hypothetical as Vanuatu have stated that they are not aware of a military base being built.

Source: The Guardian April 10, 2018 00:17 UTC