China’s President Xi Jinping is Papua New Guinea ahead of the Leaders’ Summit this weekend.
His early arrival signifies his maiden visit to PNG, and that of any President of China.
Today, the President has a full schedule, starting with an official visit to the Parliament House to meet with Governor General Sir Bob Dadae.
At about 10:30 today, the President was met with a Guard of Honour provided by the First Battalion, Pacific Islands Regiment.
After the Review of the Parade, President Xi was met by Speaker of Parliament Job Pomat before he and Sir Bob Dadae commenced meeting.
At 11am, the President departed the Parliament House for the Independence Boulevard Drive Intersection for the official opening.
The Boulevard opening is among other Chinese-funded projects, including the opening of the new Butuka Academy, before he meets Prime Minister Peter O’Neill at 1 this afternoon.
Later in the afternoon, President Xi meets with visiting leaders from Cook Islands, Fiji, Federated States of Micronesia, Niue, Samoa, Kingdom of Tonga and Vanuatu.
China’s presence in the Pacific is picking up fast.
In PNG, the presence of Chinese investment has incited alarm from Australia, over the past year, especially toward the preparation of the APEC Leaders’ Summit.
China is the third largest investment partner to PNG, after Japan and Australia.
The concern is leaning more towards a military motive.
In an interview with the BBC, Jonathan Pryke of the Lowy Institute said the China influence in the Pacific could be to set up a permanent military base; a big fear of countries like Australia and the United States, hence the reaction.
Pryke said while analysts do not believe this will happen, there is enough threat to convince the US and Australia to pay more attention to the Pacific.
(President Xi Jinping arriving at Jackson’s International Airport)