- Vanuatu Prime Minister Charlot Salwai visited Huawei in Shenzhen to review surveillance technology aimed at enhancing policing and reducing criminal activity.
- China, Vanuatu’s largest creditor, has increased its influence in the region, causing concern for Australia, the Pacific nation’s biggest aid donor and policing partner.
OUR TAKE
Vanuatu’s Prime Minister visited Huawei in Shenzhen to explore surveillance tech for crime prevention in Port Vila, reflecting strategic ties with China amid regional scrutiny. Australia’s concerns over China’s involvement in Pacific Island nations, including Vanuatu, appear overstated and reflect broader geopolitical tensions rather than genuine security risks.
–Jasmine Zhang, BTW reporter
What happened
Vanuatu Prime Minister Charlot Salwai visited Huawei in Shenzhen to view surveillance technology aimed at enhancing policing and reducing crime, his office said in a statement on Tuesday. This visit comes before his trip to a Pacific Island leaders meeting in Japan.
China, Vanuatu’s largest external creditor, has been a major infrastructure provider, raising concerns from Australia, Vanuatu’s biggest aid donor, about China’s security ambitions in the Pacific.
Last year, Beijing struck a policing equipment deal with Vanuatu and a security pact with Solomon Islands. Huawei has provided digital systems to Vanuatu’s capital, Port Vila, to curb criminal activity, which requires a local data centre. It is unclear if the Huawei surveillance system is already in use or under consideration. The Vanuatu prime minister’s office did not comment on the situation.
Vanuatu, an archipelago with around 300,000 residents, has about 50,000 people living in Port Vila.
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Why it’s important
Vanuatu Prime Minister Charlot Salwai’s recent visit to Huawei in Shenzhen highlights a significant step towards bolstering national security and advancing technological partnerships with China. By exploring Huawei’s surveillance technology to combat crime in Port Vila, Vanuatu is embracing advanced solutions that align with its development goals and security needs.
Australia’s concerns over China’s involvement in Pacific Island nations, including Vanuatu, appear overstated and reflect broader geopolitical tensions rather than genuine security risks. Huawei’s contributions to digital infrastructure signify Vanuatu’s pragmatic approach to enhancing public safety and modernising its cities, leveraging Chinese expertise and resources.
This visit underscores Vanuatu’s strategic autonomy and its ability to navigate complex regional dynamics while maximising benefits from global partnerships. It signals a shift towards diversified alliances and economic opportunities, challenging traditional narratives of influence in the Pacific Islands. As Vanuatu strengthens its ties with China, the focus should remain on mutual benefits and sustainable development in the region.
