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Chinese fund armoured cars, troop carriers for PNG

Radio New Zealand International

Fabian PokPAPUA 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.”

Comments

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Ryan Rombuk

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.

Chris Jayson Kumie

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.

Bernard Yegiora

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.

David Gonol

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.

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