Your letter writer Trevor Syme needs to be brought up to speed re China’s intentions and associated activity in the Pacific. Unfortunately many of these, mostly Third World, economies are easily bought with promises of prosperity.
The respective governments cannot see beyond a road upgrade, port improvements, a new Toyota here, or a school bus there, etc. Then add endemic corruption of officials and you have a dream scenario for the CCP to get a foothold in this strategically important part of the world.
I’m just back from Kiritimati (Christmas Island) in the Republic of Kiribati where I’ve been going annually for 20 years and I’ve witnessed firsthand how China conquers by economic stealth. Now, while you talk about the decline of western hegemony and disparage the USA, who do you think will come to Australia’s aid when the excreta hits the revolving blade?
While in power the previous Liberal government neglected China’s creeping influence in the Pacific and the current Labor government, to its credit, has played catch-up ever since, securing allegiances with Fiji and some other island nations. Finally, Kiritimati is the largest coral atoll in the world, and as it’s just over 2,000km below Hawaii, the Americans are keeping a close eye on things.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
