Reuters: China plans to revive strategic Pacific airstrip, Kiribati lawmaker says
SYDNEY (Reuters) -China has drawn up plans to upgrade an airstrip and bridge on one of Kiribati’s remote islands about 3,000km southwest of Hawaii, lawmakers told Reuters, in a bid to revive a site that hosted military aircraft during World War Two.
The plans, which have not been made public, involve construction on the tiny island of Kanton (also spelled Canton), a coral atoll strategically located midway between Asia and the Americas.
Kiribati opposition lawmaker Tessie Lambourne told Reuters she was concerned about the project, and wanted to know whether it was part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
“The government hasn’t shared the cost and other details other than it’s a feasibility study for the rehabilitation of the runway and bridge,” Lambourne told Reuters.
“The opposition will be seeking more information from government in due course.”
The office of Kiribati President Taneti Maamau did not respond to questions.
The Chinese foreign ministry did not immediately respond to questions.
Read more ....
Update: China Wants To Revive A Strategically Located Airfield Deep In The Pacific: Report (Warzone/The Drive).
WNU Editor: Here is a blunt commentary and analysis on why Kirbati decided to align itself with China .... How Kiribati was lost to China (Cleo Paskal, Sunday Guardian).
