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community leaders in North Queensland, Australia fear that China’s plan to build a fish processing facility on their doorstep will endanger border security and the commercial fishing sector.
The Chinese Ministry of Commerce announced that the Fujian Zhonghong Fishery Company has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Papua New Guinea to set up a « Comprehensive Multifunctional Fisheries Industrial Park » worth 204 million. AUD on the island of Daru under their belt and to establish Road Initiative, reports ABC News Australia.
Daru is one of the few Torres Strait Islands that is ruled by Papua New Guinea rather than Australia.
Former PNG government advisor Jeffrey Wall said it was a lot of money to spend in a small community that is not known for commercial fish stocks.
« We should be absolutely alarmed, not only because it is strategically located near Australia, but also that there is potential for conflict on Torres Strait, » he said.
« It is the closest town to Australia and just a few miles from some of our islands on the Torres Strait.
« I think they will first build a very large wharf. So what are you building when you build a very large wharf? Somewhere naval ships can land, « he said.
This view is shared by the Bundestag member for Leichhardt, Warren Ent, whose electorate includes Torres Strasse.
« Given that we are developing a naval presence on Manus Island with Papua New Guinea and America, I am concerned that there might be other motives for what the Chinese are doing there, » said Res.
Under the Torres Strait Treaty, Papua New Guineans from 13 villages can move freely across the border and fish in Australian waters.
« They’re going to rape and loot this, they’re going to vacuum these reefs, » said Decision.
« The islanders of Torres Strait own the tropical lobster fishing rights and everything goes to China, so they are circumventing this.
« Unfortunately, we can’t stop it because Papua New Guinea is a sovereign nation and they don’t find it too friendly if we go in and tell them they can’t. « . «
Phillip Kestrel, president of the Torres Strait Fishing Association, said he was also concerned that China could use the treaty as a « back door » for fishing.
According to the treaty, Papua New Guineans are allowed to take up 25 percent of the total allowable catch of lobster in Australian waters.
« We are a little concerned about how we monitor what is being caught, » he said.
« Traditionally they only work with their long boats from Daru and return to Daru and unload, but if the Chinese go in there with the amount of capital they will flow into this country with bigger and better boats. « It looks like we’re limiting the 25 percent impact pretty often.
« Painted crays are very lucrative in the Chinese market and cost a lot. We’re a bit concerned that we’re being taken advantage of by the Chinese who come in and help the Papua New Guinea peoples. «
Kestrel said the Torres Strait Treaty may also need to be reviewed, but since it was drafted under international law, this could prove difficult.
According to Wall, Australia’s best chance of halting developments was through strong diplomatic ties and Australia’s generous aid program in Papua New Guinea.
« I always tell my customers and Prime Ministers in Papua New Guinea that they are our closest neighbor and best friend.
« The Chinese clearly want to question this and we must be ready to respond proactively. «
He said Australian aid should now be used to improve the living standards of the people in and around Daru by helping them build a local commercial fishery export industry.
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China, Torres Strait, Warren Ent
World News – AU – Alert on safety related to China’s agreement with PNG for Torres Strait fish factory
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Ref: https://www.thestandard.com.hk
