PNG airs Chinese influence

PORT MORESBY: As world leaders land in Papua New Guinea for a Pacific Rim summit, the welcome mat is especially big for China’s president.

A huge sign in the capital, Port Moresby, welcomes Xi Jinping, picturing him gazing beneficently at Papua New Guinea’s leader, and his hotel is decked out with red Chinese lanterns.

China’s footprint is everywhere, from a showpiece boulevard and convention centre built with Chinese help to bus stop shelters that announce their origins with ‘‘China Aid’’ plaques.

On the eve of Xi’s arrival for a state visit and the AsiaPacific Economic Cooperation meeting, which starts today, newspapers in the country ran a fullpage statement from the Chinese leader.

It exhorted Pacific island nations to ‘‘set sail on a new voyage’’ of relations with China.

Xi has a compelling message for the South Pacific’s fragile island states, long propped up by US ally Australia: they now have a choice of benefactors.

Pacific island nations have for several years been courted by Beijing as part of its global effort to finance infrastructure that advances its economic and diplomatic interests.

Papua New Guinea, with about 8 million people, is by far the most populous, and with its extensive tropical forests and oil and gas reserves is an obvious target for economic exploitation.

Beijing’s assistance comes without the oversight and conditions Western nations and organisations such as the World Bank or International Monetary Fund impose.

Australia has announced more than $A2.8 billion ($NZ2.9 billion) of funding for infrastructure and trade finance aimed at Pacific island nations and agreed to joint development of a naval base in PNG, heading off feared Chinese involvement. It is also boosting its diplomatic presence in every Pacific island state. — AP