Rehabilitation of the Kanton Airstrip and Opening of PIPA

  KIRIBATI VOICE

Rehabilitation of the Kanton Airstrip and Opening of PIPA

15th May 2022

Tiaon Kaurob

Recently, China has drawn up plans to rehabilitate an airstrip and bridge on the island of Kanton, in the Phoenix Islands group in Kiribati. Kanton is strategically located midway between Asia and the Americas, and was used to host and refuel military aircraft during World War Two. 

Kanton has been used by the U.S. for space and missile tracking operations and its near 2-kilometer (6,562 ft) runway hosted long-range bombers during the war. Kanton used to be an important stop for civilian flights after World War Two, but the introduction of long-range jet aircraft meant that Kanton was no longer commercially viable as a refueling station. All airlines ended their operations there by the late 1950s, and the airstrip had fallen into disrepair. 

The repair of this airstrip, if supported by funds from the Chinese government, would provide an upgrade for the transportation system of our nation. As is well known, air travel in Kiribati has always been limited by the lack of infrastructure and a new airstrip would be an invaluable asset. Our government has added that rehabilitation of the site would support commercial air travel between Kiribati's islands and turn Kanton into a "high-end niche tourism destination.”

Further, the success brought by this endeavor would allow for a continuation of the friendly diplomatic ties between our nation and China, perhaps bringing in more funding and investments into our nation’s other development projects. 

In regards to other projects, China has also expressed support for the opening of PIPA, the Phoenix Islands Protected Area. In a recent statement, President Maamau has stated that “Similar to any Government, our decisions, as we make them, put the livelihoods of our people at the forefront and have been carefully considered and agreed to as a Government.” The Ministry of Line and Phoenix Islands Development has also approved of these plans, highlighting the great benefits it’ll bring to our nation. The opening of the area would provide vital growth for our economy and China has promised the sending of more fishing fleets to the area. 

The plans have not been set in motion, but the Cabinet of ministers in Kiribati is expected to further decide on whether to move forward with these plans to rehabilitate the Kanton airstrip.