Chinese Pushes for Rebuilding of Kanton Airstrip
06:12 AM on 31st August 2022
Aelvin Kanthony, RNZ Pacific regional correspondent
Aelvin.Kanthony@rnz.co.nz
Approximately two hours ago, a large Chinese fishing vessel and a Korean vessel have shipwrecked after colliding closely outside the PIPA. Chinese officials have stated that the collision occurred as a result of the Korean vessel’s illegal transgression into the fishing territory allocated to them, perhaps in search for more fishes in the bountiful Chinese region.
Further, as a response, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said that in order to investigate the issue, conduct a search and rescue for the remaining survivors and salvage the remains of the vessel, an initiative to give China permission to renovate the Kanton airstrip, a project that has been floating around in the Kiribati parliament, needs to be introduced by the cabinet, and negotiations should be opened up with the Chinese authorities.
"China is committed to developing friendly relationships with countries all over the world and to continue our working friendship with Kiribati, we require justice to be served for this issue. The Korean vessels and the government needs to compensate the victims of this tragedy. We know that anti-Chinese sentiments are rampant in these other nations, and so we need to protect the interests of our nation in the Kiribati region. In order to do so, and to prevent further incidens of this type to repeat itself, the airstrip needs to be rushed.'' said Zhao.
“We have made our intentions clear from day 1 that we want to use the Kanton airstip for peaceful purposes, such as as a base for search and rescue operations covering the whole of Kiribati due to its central location. I do not understand why the cabinet has not taken any measures to rehabilitate the airstrip. Failing even to begin negotiations with us. They have removed the bridge after crossing the river (过河拆桥) or, as the English say, bite the hand that feeds it.”
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