Torba, Penama, Malampa and Tafea provinces will now have access to patrol boats and other essential equipment to support the work of the Vanuatu Police Force (VPF), following a formal handover from the Government of China to the Vanuatu Government Monday.
The handover took place at Lapetasi Wharf, with the Ambassador of China to Vanuatu, Li Minggang, presenting it to the Caretaker Minister of Internal Affairs, Andrew Napuat, who oversees the VPF, in the presence of the Caretaker Prime Minister, Charlot Salwai, and members of the diplomatic corps.
The equipment handed over includes 20 motorcycles, 10 jeeps (off-road vehicles), and 10 transportation vehicles (4WD). According to Napuat, the Vanuatu Government intention was to allocate these resources to the provinces, and they have reached an understanding with the VPF on where to station the boats and vehicles.
“In Torba Province, one of the four boats will be stationed to service the islands, along with a vehicle. In Malampa Province, two vehicles, three motorcycles, and one boat will be deployed.
“In Sanma Province, a jeep truck will be provided, but no boat, as a boat is already available there. In Penama Province, there will be a boat and two trucks.
“In Tafea Province, one boat, two trucks, and three motorcycles will be allocated. The remaining equipment will be utilised by the Vanuatu Police Force in the main centres,” he said.
He added that the Vanuatu Government and the Government of China have signed several agreements in the past to collaborate on various forms of assistance. One such agreement was signed in January 2014, under which Vanuatu has already received some equipment. On May 29, 2018, Caretaker Minister Napuat signed another agreement with the Chinese Ambassador at the time, on behalf of the People’s Republic of China.
“This week, the country is witnessing the outcomes of that agreement, valued at approximately 30 million RMB VT500 million (US$4,112,555). What we are witnessing is the agreements that our government negotiated and discuss following the interest we have to continue to work together. What we are witnessing this afternoon is consistent with our peoples plan and the policy objectives which is stated in our plans.
“Our National Development Plan, also known as the People’s Plan 2030, under the Society Pillar 5, emphasises security, justice, and a society where the rule of law is consistently upheld, ensuring access to timely justice for everyone. Policy Objective 3 states that we will strengthen the institutional capacity of the national security forces to ensure they are adequately resourced to meet the performance targets of our national security.
“Vanuatu is a close friend of China, and we have continued to enjoy a very strong working relationship. I believe that the relationship between Vanuatu and China has reached an unprecedented level, which can be observed through the exchanges and visits of our leaders traveling from Vanuatu to China, as well as Chinese delegations visiting Vanuatu,” he concluded.
Ambassador Li stated that in the past two years his embassy has maintained close communication with the Vanuatu Government, negotiating with relevant Chinese authorities, overcoming difficulties such as the pandemic.
“Today China hands over goods to Vanuatu and honor its commitment. As the Chinese saying goes, good things is worth of waiting, now we are providing the most advance equipment’s. We believe this equipment’s will help upgrade facilities of the Vanuatu Police Force and Vanuatu Mobile Force, enhance their law enforcement capability bringing benefits to the Vanuatu people,” he said.
This year marks the 42nd anniversary of the establishment of China-Vanuatu relations. According to Ambassador Li, the cooperation between the two nations has achieved remarkable results this year. In recent months, China Aid has rolled out projects on Pentecost Island, the handing over of the presidential palace, as well as the office buildings of the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, were successfully handed over. Additionally, the aviation agreement between Vanuatu and China has set a new milestone in the China-Vanuatu friendship.
Caretaker PM Salwai urged the VPF to take good care of the boats and vehicles, highlighting a previous issue where their boats were damaged during the cyclone while docked at the Mala Base Wharf.
He emphasised that he did not want the same to happen to these new boats.
