Is China Eyeing The Establishment Of A Military Base On Vanuatu?

Sydney Morning Herald: China eyes Vanuatu military base in plan with global ramifications

China has approached Vanuatu about building a permanent military presence in the South Pacific in a globally significant move that could see the rising superpower sail warships on Australia’s doorstep.

Fairfax Media can reveal there have been preliminary discussions between the Chinese and Vanuatu governments about a military build-up in the island nation.

While no formal proposals have been put to Vanuatu's government, senior security officials believe Beijing’s plans could culminate in a full military base. The prospect of a Chinese military outpost so close to Australia has been discussed at the highest levels in Canberra and Washington.

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WNU Editor: The Chinese and Vanuata governments are denying these reports. What's my take .... China said the same thing about reports a few years ago that they were interested in establishing a base in Djibouti. Today .... there is a Chinese base there.

More News On Reports That China Is Eyeing The Establishment Of A Military Base On Vanuatu

Is China eyeing a permanent military base in Vanuatu? -- IBTimes
Missile could hit Sydney in just 12 MINUTES if China pushes ahead with plan to build a military base and put warships on Australia's doorstep -- Daily Mail
China is reportedly proposing a permanent military base in the South Pacific -- CNBC/Reuters
Australia and New Zealand warn China against Vanuatu base -- ABC News/AP
Vanuatu denies it will host China military base -- BBC
Vanuatu and China Deny Holding Military Base Talks -- US News and World Report/Reuters
'Impossible': China denies planning military base in Vanuatu -- The Guardian
Vanuatu denies Chinese approach to set up military base -- South China Morning Post
Explainer: Possible Chinese military base in South Pacific fills gap, sends strong message to U.S. and allies -- Reuters
Chinese military base in Pacific would be of 'great concern', Turnbull tells Vanuatu -- ABC News Online
Australia Affirms Vanuatu Ties Amid Report of Chinese Base -- Bloomberg
China's alarming Vanuatu gambit -- The Age editorial

Monstrous Category 5 Cyclone Makes A Direct Hit On The Tiny State Of Vanuatu In The Pacific

Daily Mail: Massive cyclone rips across Vanuatu, killing 'at least 40 people and leaving thousands homeless' as it causes CATASTROPHIC destruction on the island nation

* Cyclone Pam has intensified as it hits Vanuatu, with dozens feared dead in the outer islands
* The category five storm hit Vanuatu on Friday bringing flooding and evacuation orders, according to the UN
* The cyclone is expected to bring destructive winds of 250km/h, torrential rain and phenomenal seas to Vanuatu on Saturday
* Gales are expected to affect most of the island spreading 380km from the cyclone's centre
* Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop says an estimated 3,000 Australians are in Vanuatu
* It is expected to track to the northeast of New Zealand during the next two days

Cyclone Pam has intensified as it hits Vanuatu, with dozens feared dead in the outer islands.

The category five storm landed in Vanuatu on Friday bringing flooding and evacuation orders, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says.

'There were no official reports of deaths or injuries, however according to an unconfirmed report 44 people died in Penama Province (northeast of Vanuatu),' it said.

More News On Cyclone Pam Battering The Island State Of Vanuata

Cyclone Pam leaves trail of destruction in Pacific's Vanuatu -- AP
Cyclone batters Pacific island nation of Vanuatu, U.N. fears the worst -- Reuters
Dozens feared dead after Cyclone Pam hits Vanuatu -- BBC
'Unbelievable destruction' reported in Tropical Cyclone Pam's wak -- CNN
Tropical Cyclone Pam blasts South Pacific island chain -- UPI
Tropical Cyclone Pam: Vanuatu devastated by one of the strongest tropical cyclones in Pacific; at least four dead in Port Vila -- ABC News (Australia)
Cyclone Pam hits Vanuatu: 'It was terrifying' -- Stuff.co.nz (New Zealand)
Cyclone Pam: dozens feared dead in Vanuatu outer islands -- The Australian
Australia ready to help Pam recovery -- daily Mail/Australian Press Association