Chinese fund armoured cars, troop carriers for PNG
25 February 2013
Radio New Zealand International
PAPUA NEW GUINEA’s Defence Minister, Dr Fabian Pok, has said a $2 million military aid grant from China will be spent on armoured cars, troop carriers and uniforms.
The grant follows Dr Pok’s talks with his Chinese counterpart, General Liang Guanglie, in Beijing last month and meetings there with military hardware suppliers.
The visit comes as PNG plans a fivefold increase in troops over the next decade.
Dr Pok said he will also ask China to help maintain swimming pools and gymnasiums at PNG’s military barracks.
“They want to be seen as not being too involved in our military issues here,” said Dr Pok.
“China is also trying to export things like uniforms and armoured cars and all these things.
“So it’s also in the business interests of not the Chinese military but people who are building these things to market their products to countries like Papua New Guinea.”
Yeah, now we're talking. That's it China, influence PNG to become more independent in military issues.
I mean, with the current war between North Korea and the US, we need to defend ourselves. Thumbs up to China.
Posted by: Ryan Rombuk | 12 April 2013 at 01:41 PM
The current rise of China can lead to a 3rd world war between the superpowers. Therefore it’s good that we build our military to guard our borders.
This is also an opportunity for the dropouts in Grade 12 or from other institutions to join the PNG Defence Force.
Posted by: Chris Jayson Kumie | 08 March 2013 at 10:33 PM
PNG needs to militarise its border with Indonesia, guard its air space and patrol its waters.
To do that we need more manpower and more military hardware. That is logical.
The power game is public knowledge.
The challenge now is to find out hidden motives and secret information passed on from one party to another.
That will be more interesting to read.
Wish I had the capability to do that.
Posted by: Bernard Yegiora | 26 February 2013 at 09:46 AM
Yes, that's the manifestation of clear competition for influence in the Pacific region by the superpowers.
The US decided to base its marines in Darwin, Australia, so now it's China's turn to gain a foothold in the Pacific.
Posted by: David Gonol | 25 February 2013 at 04:54 PM