Japan & APEC: Tokyo & allies pledge more investment in Papua New Guinea

World
Europe

01:37

Along with allies including the United States, Japan is heaping up investment in Papua New Guinea. Some are afraid this might impact the warming ties between Japan and China. Mayu Yoshida reports.

MAYU YOSHIDA TOKYO "The US and its allies, including Japan, have promised investments to support infrastructure in Papua New Guinea and people are viewing this as the latest sign of power competition in the South Pacific region, where China is vying for influence.

The US, Japan, Australia and New Zealand have agreed to pump 1.7 billion dollars in Papua New Guinea to dramatically improve its electricity and internet access.

This is good news for the Pacific nation where only 13 percent of its total population get electricity. But this plan has also led to growing concerns over friction in the region as this is the first step of a plan that will counter China's Belt and Road spending in the region.

Some experts also say this pledge might even pour cold water in Japan-China relationship that has been advanced by their common challenge that they face which is trade pressure from the Trump administration. Japanese Prime Minister last month made his first official visit to China where they agreed on moving their relation from competition to cooperation.

Now, reports say that Abe and Xi were seen chatting and shaking hands at the Asian summit this weekend, so it looks like this investment plan by Washington and Tokyo are not affecting Japan's relationship with China."