Meanwhile a fascinating article today by the ABC on CCP Foreign Minister Wang's planned visit to PNG this week.
In essence the CCP appear to be "tone deaf" in terms of respecting the locals as the timing of the visit coincides with the upcoming elections.
Apparently for Papua New Guineans having high profile foreign dignitaries visit during what can be a tumultuous (and deadly violent) occasion is poorly received (for any nation visiting, even for one of their closest neighbours, Australia)!
This is bipartisan, as the ABC article reports on both the current PM James Marape and Opposition leader (and former PM) Peter O'Neill are of similar views.
Presumably then the CCP have "forced" themselves in to meet current PM Marape (or to be polite "coerced" may be a better description). How this will play out with some segments of the population may become "interesting" to say the least in the next few days ....
The ADF are sending in extra personnel to assist with the security of the election (eg that usually entails protecting voting booths and ensuring people can caste their vote safely etc).
Article also mentions a "special economic zone" development for PNG's Western Province (which appears to include a "naval base" and "military base", which will attract increased "suspicion" from the locals).
When China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi lands in PNG, the streets will likely be full of people cheering and chanting. But they won't be welcoming him, writes Natalie Whiting.
www.abc.net.au
Then to make matters worse for the locals and yet another example of incredibly bad CCP infrastructure development, found article links that led to an earlier ABC story on a project in the PNG capital city Port Morseby. The 23-storey "Noble Centre" tower has been deemed uninhabitable as it has dozens "highly illegal", "non-compliant", "poorly installed" and "dangerous" faults and compliance issues including mechanical, electrical and fire safety concerns. Suspect it will cost a great deal of time and effort to make these issues compliant and wonder if the will and funding is there to actually do so?
Honestly why does the CCP undertake such "garbage" vanity projects, as it only damages their reputation with the locals?
Documents leaked to the ABC reveal the tallest building in Papua New Guinea, constructed by Chinese investors as a "symbol of friendship" between the two nations, has been deemed uninhabitable.
www.abc.net.au