Xi was the first world leader to arrive in Port Moresby for an Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (Apec) forum, China’s Xinhua news agency reported, as China steps up its presence in a region that had until recently been an almost exclusive sphere of influence of staunch US ally Australia.
Xi’s motorcade, including two custom-made Hongqi limousines air-lifted from China, was due to travel from the airport on a Chinese-funded repaved highway, which police sealed off, and past a boulevard adorned with the flags of both countries, en route to the top Stanley Hotel in the capital, Port Moresby. The hotel is decorated with red lanterns and an elaborate Chinese-style gate. “It will be a very excellent traditional welcome,” PNG Prime Minister Peter O’Neill told Reuters earlier, referring to Xi’s arrival, as he toured the Apec forum’s media centre.
The evidence of China’s growing relationship with resource-rich PNG contrasted with a more modest acknowledgement of the United States and Australia. PNG was administered by Australia before gaining independence. US President Donald Trump is not attending this weekend’s Apec meeting. US Vice President Mike Pence, who is coming instead, is flying in and out of the forum from a base in northern Australia.
As well as official bilateral talks with PNG, Xi will hold a forum with the leaders of Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa, Micronesia, the Cook Islands, Tonga and Niue today, and is expected to announce a big Chinese aid and investment package for the region.
Competition for influence in the Pacific between China and Western allies Australia, New Zealand and the United States, is likely to provide a strong undercurrent at the APEC summit. Xi’s visit has featured prominently in PNG media, with newspapers highlighting the luxury cars he has brought with him and the 10 chefs who will cook for his big delegation.
On Wednesday, two newspapers carried a commentary from Xi in which he hailed the “rapid growth” in bilateral ties as an “epitome of China’s overall relations with Pacific island countries”. “Hydropower stations, hospitals and school dormitories financed by Chinese government concessional loans have become landmark buildings across the country,” Xi said.
