1. Context

2. Economic relations

3. Military relations

4. Relations in culture and education

5. Relationship with Taiwan

6. External links

7. References

The Republic of Vanuatu and the People's Republic of China (PRC) established official diplomatic relations on March 26, 1982. China established an embassy in Vanuatu in 1989, while Vanuatu established an honorary consulate in China in 1999; it officially became an embassy in 2005.^[1] The current Ambassador of China in Vanuatu is Liu Quan.^[2] The current Ambassador of Vanuatu in China is former Minister of Finance Willie Jimmy.^[3]

The Chinese government officially considers that Vanuatu and China "have made tireless efforts and cooperation endeavors to promote and further strengthen friendship and cooperation for the benefit of [the two countries'] peoples and nations", and that China and Vanuatu "have smooth cooperation in economic, trade, agricultural, tourism, sports and other fields".^[1]

For its part, the government of Vanuatu officially considers that "China and Vanuatu have enjoyed a vibrant and long lasting relationship based on mutual understanding, friendship and genuine cooperation", and that "Vanuatu's relations with China and the adherence to the One-China policy are one of the fundamental pillars of Vanuatu's foreign policy".^[4]

In June 2009, Vanuatu's ambassador to China, Willie Jimmy, "call[ed] [...] for China to have a foot firmly planted in the Pacific through Port Vila", a comment which -the Vanuatu Daily Post remarked- "no doubt caused ruffled feathers among other foreign diplomatic partners".^[5]

Context

detailed article: Sino-Pacific relations

Economic relations

In 2006, Vanuatu signed an economic cooperation agreement with the PRC, whereby the latter was to assist Vanuatu's economic development, and remove tariffs on imports from Vanuatu. The PRC also added Vanuatu to its list of approved tourism destinations for Chinese tourists. Ni-Vanuatu trade minister James Bule said his country had also requested China's assistance "in supplying machines so we can establish a plant in Vanuatu to produce bio fuel".^[11]

In 2002, the countries' bilateral trade was worth €1.294 million, of which just over €1 million imported by Vanuatu from China, and over €200,000 imported by China from Vanuatu. Vanuatu imports Chinese garments, shoes, textiles, medicines, foods and light industrial products, while China imports ni-Vanuatu "plants to be used for killing insects and bacteria, as well as buttons and sown timber".^[12]

According to the government of Vanuatu, "China is recognized as one of Vanuatu's major development partners".^[4]

As of 2018, China reportedly accounts for approximately $220 million of Vanuatu's foreign debts.^[15]

Military relations

According to reporting by Fairfax Media, China and Vanuatu are in negotiations to allow China to open a permanently military base on Vanuatu.^[13] China is funding the construction of a new wharf on Espiritu Santo, which Australian government officials believe could be used to host naval vessels.^[13] The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Vanuatu Foreign Minister Ralph Regenvanu both rebuffed the reporting.^[14]

In 2017, China donated fourteen military vehicles to Vanuatu.^[13]

Relations in culture and education

In July 2002, the Hebei Acrobatic Troupe performed in Vanuatu, followed by the Chinese Acrobatic and Folk Orchestra Troupe in June 2007.

Since 2005, the Chinese Central Television has been broadcasting in Vanuatu. Chinese Radio International has been available to ni-Vanuatu listeners since 2007.^[15]

In terms of education, since 1995, China has provided quotas of scholarships for ni-Vanuatu students to study in China ; nine ni-Vanuatu students were provided with scholarships in the 2007/08 university year. As of 2008, there were two Chinese language teachers, sent by China, in Vanuatu.^[15]

Relationship with Taiwan

From 1982 to 2004, Vanuatu consistently recognised the People's Republic of China. In November 2004, Prime Minister Serge Vohor briefly established diplomatic relations with the Republic of China (Taiwan), before being ousted for that reason in a vote of no confidence the following month.^[16][17] Vanuatu has recognised the PRC ever since. Nonetheless, Vohor remained a critic of what he perceived as China's excessive influence on the ni-Vanuatu government.^[16]

External links

• Official website of the embassy of the People's Republic of China in Vanuatu
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20090801061819/http://www.vanuatuembassy.org.cn/ Official website of the embassy of the Republic of Vanuatu in China]

References

• Theonistus of Vercelli
• Theonistus, Tabra, and Tabratha
• The Online Citizen
• The Online Kooks Museum
• The Only Easy Day Was Yesterday
• The only exception
• The Only Exception
• The Only Exception (song)
• The Only Flame in Town
• The Only Gay Man
• The Only Good Indian
• The Only Good Punk... Is a Dead One
• The Only Hope for Me Is You
• The only hope for me is you
• The Only Life for Me
• The Only One (album)
• The Only One (Cure single)
• The Only One (Flo Rida album)
• The Only One I Know
• The Only One I See
• The Only One (song)
• The Only One (The Cure song)
• The Only One (Transvision Vamp song)
• The Only Reason Under the Sun
• The Only Sheet