Take control over development

PNG ended 2018 by hosting the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings for the first time since it joined in 1993.
The leaders’ summit in November was attended by the Chinese President Xi Jinping.
His attendance at the meeting also marked a significant milestone for a long political and trade relationship between PNG and China, since PNG gained independence in 1975.
The leaders’ summit ended in a very tense atmosphere with on-going trade dispute between China and the United States on the one hand, and strategic control over the Pacific region by the US, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and South Korea on the other hand. As a result, the Leaders’ Era Kone Declaration was not signed and concluded.
The failure to sign and conclude the Era Kone Declaration by the Apec leaders, especially over the strategic control over the Pacific region, must be taken seriously by PNG.
Globally, China has emerged as the most powerful and dominant nation in economic and financial aspects, military capability and control over natural resources and technology.
China is using its financial strength to control and develop vast natural resources such as agricultural land, iron, nickel, cobalt, copper, gold, oil, gas, fisheries and forestry in Africa, South America, Asia and the Pacific region (including PNG, Australia, and New Zealand).
These natural resources and raw agricultural produce are transported back to China to feed the large manufacturing and industrial plants that China has established to produce final products.
The final products such as military hardware, ships, cars, food, and clothing, are transported and sold globally so China can maintain its status as the most dominant economic and financial powerhouse in the globe.
In PNG, China has further strengthened its control over our economy through public and private sector investments and loans extended to the Government. In natural resources, China has 100 percent control over the Ramu NiCo mine and Frieda River copper project and 50 per cent control over the Porgera gold mine.
Soon, a Chinese investor will control and develop a large natural forest area in the Sepik region under the controversial Special Business and Agricultural Lease (SBAL) arrangement.
PNG must rise up and take full control over the development and utilisation of our natural resources to fully satisfy the provisions under Section 25 of our National Constitution.
Other countries, including China, must not be given total dominance over the development and control of our natural resources and the economy.

CONCERNED CITIZEN – POM