Pacific links: China challenge, an “Elevation”, power lifting, more

• Last week, China’s Defence Minister Wei Fenghe said his country was willing to deepen military ties with the Pacific. Later that week, Hugh White set out why he believes China might set up a military base in the Pacific. He also said Australia should stop trying to push Beijing out of the region and should instead focus its effort on building a force that could counter Chinese bases in the neighborhood.
  
  White’s concerns were echoed last week with the extradition of six Chinese from Port Villa to China, where it appears Chinese authorities have succeeded in placing Chinese law and legal standards above those of Vanuatu. Pundits worry about the erosion of Vanuatu’s democratic rights at Beijing’s bidding. It also reminded me of a similar story in 2017, where 77 Chinese nationals were deported from Fiji by Chinese authorities.
  
  The events last week made for interesting timing after a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Taiwan and the Solomon Islands for the development of a national sports stadium.

Alexandre Dayant